NGEC urges gender balance, inclusion of disabled persons in Cabinet

The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has called for strict adherence to provisions of the Constitution in formulation of the new cabinet.

In a statement, NGEC Chairperson Joyce Mutinda underscored the need for a meticulous vetting process by the National Assembly, insisting that only nominees who meet the requirements outlined in Chapter 6 on leadership and integrity should be approved.

The commission, however, raised concerns over the gender composition of the current Cabinet nominations, highlighting its failure to include sufficient women and persons with disabilities.

“The current nominations consist of 15 male and 6 female candidates. Including the President and Deputy President, who are both male, the total composition is 17 males and 6 females. This composition does not comply with Article 27(8) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which stipulates that no more than two-thirds of the members of an appointive body should be of the same gender,” stated Mutinda.

To address the gender imbalance, the Commission recommended that women should fill the remaining positions of Attorney-General and one Cabinet Secretary, with at least one of the female candidates being a person with a disability.

“The final composition would then be 17 males and 8 females, ensuring that no more than two-thirds of the members are of the same gender,” said Mutinda.

The commission acknowledged the nomination of Eric Muriithi Muuga, aged 32, as a progressive step towards fulfilling Article 55(b) of the Constitution which obligates the State to ensure youth representation and participation in governance and leadership.

NGEC also noted the inclusion of members from marginalized communities in the list of nominees as a significant step towards ensuring that minorities and marginalized groups have special opportunities for access to employment.