The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has condemned the assault of a woman in Nyabisimba, Nyamira County, during her ex-husband’s burial.
In a statement, NGEC Chairperson Rehema Jaldesa described the assault as a blatant violation of human rights and gender equality, adding that the act exposes deep-rooted gender-based violence disguised as culture.
The woman was reportedly assaulted by in-laws attempting to coerce her into cultural burial rites against her will.
“This egregious violation of human rights constitutes gender-based violence, assault, and coercion—criminal acts punishable under Kenyan law,” Jaldesa stated.
The Commission urged the National Police Service (NPS) to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure justice is served.
Jaldesa further decried the persistence of harmful cultural practices that subject women to violence, noting that such traditions violate Article 27 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality and freedom from discrimination.
“No culture or tradition should override an individual’s dignity, autonomy, and human rights,” she stated.
On Monday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested three individuals linked to the crime.
The suspects, identified as Robert Pokea Sarudi, 43, Bismark Ondiek Sarudi, 40, and Lameck Ogindo Osoro, 27, allegedly forced the woman to participate in traditional rituals against her will and assaulted her, inflicting injuries on her body.
The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has expressed its approval of President William Ruto’s recent nominations, acknowledging the steps taken towards achieving gender balance within the Cabinet.
The NGEC commended the President for nominating Dorcas Agik Oduor for the position of Attorney General and Beatrice Askul Moe for Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of East African Community Affairs (EAC) and Regional Development.
In their statement, the NGEC described these nominations as a positive move towards fulfilling the constitutional mandate for gender representation.
They highlighted that the proposed Cabinet now comprises 25 members, including the President, Deputy President, Attorney General, and 22 Cabinet Secretaries.
Of these, 17 are male, representing 68 per cent, and 8 are female, representing 32 per cent.
This composition is just 1 per cent shy of meeting the requirements of Article 27(8) of the Constitution, which mandates that no more than two-thirds of the members of an appointive body should be of the same gender.
However, the NGEC also noted the lack of representation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) among the current nominees, stating that Article 54(2) of the Constitution calls for a 5 per cent representation of PWDs, which has not been met.
The Commission called on the National Assembly to conduct a rigorous vetting process for all nominees, ensuring strict adherence to Chapter 6 of the Constitution, which focuses on leadership and integrity.
They emphasized that only those who meet these stringent requirements should be approved to ensure a Cabinet that embodies equality, non-discrimination, and ethical leadership.
Dr. Joyce Mutinda, Chairperson of the NGEC, praised President Ruto’s efforts towards achieving gender balance and representing youth and marginalized communities.
She affirmed that the Commission will closely monitor the vetting process and the subsequent performance of the Cabinet to ensure compliance with constitutional mandates.
In conclusion, the NGEC’s endorsement of the nominations underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and balanced government while also highlighting areas where further progress is needed, particularly in the representation of persons with disabilities.
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.
Key youth stakeholders Thursday met at the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) boardroom to address the urgent challenge of unemployment among Kenyan youth.
The meeting, graced by the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, painted a vivid picture of the employment landscape for the 15-34 age group, which constitutes 35 percent of the nation’s population.
The statistics presented indicated that 67 percent of Kenyan youth face unemployment, with those aged 18 to 25 being twice as likely to be jobless compared to their 26 to 35-year-old peers.
Each year, approximately 800,000 young people enter the job market, only to encounter a shifting terrain where traditional jobs are rapidly evolving due to technological advancements such as automation and artificial intelligence.
A beacon of hope in this challenging environment is the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector, which has emerged as a critical player in providing opportunities for economically excluded segments of the labor force, including youth, women, persons with disabilities, and individuals with low levels of education.
MSMEs are integral to the production of raw materials, value addition, innovation, and product distribution, thereby creating employment opportunities for millions of Kenyans in both urban and rural areas.
The Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Program (KYEOP) has also made significant strides in addressing youth unemployment. The program offers comprehensive training and workplace experience, apprenticeships to impart relevant skills, and promotes self-employment through business development services.
To date, KYEOP has reached 30,000 beneficiaries with its business development services and has disbursed KSh 2.7 million in start-up capital to 68,000 youth, with the potential to create 100,000 jobs. Furthermore, the program’s business plan competition has benefited 750 young entrepreneurs, potentially generating 3,000 new jobs.
Daniel Seirberling, resident representative of the Kenya Hanns Seidel Foundation, emphasized the need for government economic policies to translate into substantive, meaningful engagement with young people, thereby improving their livelihoods. He stressed that real progress would only be seen when policies reflect the realities on the ground and genuinely empower the youth.
According to the date presented, 67PC of Kenyan youth face unemployment, with those aged 18 to 25 being twice as likely to be jobless compared to their 26 to 35-year-old peers.
The Kenyan government’s youth policy has identified several critical challenges: unemployment, underemployment, and the plight of the working poor who face low earnings, informal working conditions, and difficult work environments. The policy aspires to create opportunities for youth to earn decent and sustainable livelihoods, ensure sustainable financing of youth programs, promote entrepreneurship and self-employment, and transform agriculture and agri-business to make these sectors attractive to the youth.
As the discussions and initiatives evolve, the collective efforts of government, private sector, and civil society will be crucial in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for Kenya’s youth.
Kenya Young Members of County Assemblies (KYMCA) are making significant strides in empowering Kenya’s youth to tackle climate change head-on.
Speaking during a youth stakeholders’ coordination meeting held at the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) Headquarters Thursday, Ruth Bolo the Head of Programmes at KYMCA highlighted forum’s role in driving a nationwide movement to amplify youth voices in climate action.
Bolo emphasized KYMCA’s relentless advocacy efforts for climate change legislation and increased budgetary allocations in counties.
She underscored the organization’s commitment to sustainable environmental stewardship through strategic partnerships with the National Government and initiatives like tree planting exercises.
Ms. Bolo emphasized the forum’s substantial investment in advocacy initiatives, in collaboration with NGEC and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF).
Notably, KYMCA hosted a transformative boot camp for its members and kickstarted a national dialogue on climate change via Twitter Spaces, aiming to raise awareness among young people.
Damaris Kariuki, Programme Lead for Gender Equality at HSF, underscored the significance of collaboration between NGEC and KYMCA adding that the collaboration seeks to foster dialogues that integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation measures into Kenya’s Vision 2030 flagship development programs.
Understanding the harsh reality that climate change worsens existing inequalities, especially affecting vulnerable communities who depend on natural resources, NGEC is leading the charge in adopting inclusive strategies for climate policies and actions.
HSF’s support extends to various sectors, including civic education, governance, human security, and women empowerment.
By collaborating with stakeholders, NGEC, KYMCA, and HSF aim to forge a path towards a more resilient and equitable future for all Kenyans, ensuring that the voices of youth and marginalized communities are heard and heeded in the fight against climate change.
The National Gender Equality Commission (NGEC) has sounded alarm over the increase in femicide cases and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country
Speaking during the an interview with KBC, NGEC Chairperson Dr Joyce Mutinda underscored the need to recognize signs of violence.
She identified root causes of Gender Based Violence such as toxic relationships, encounters with strangers in confined spaces, and inadequate parenting.
At the same time, nominated Tabitha Mutinda advocated for digital literacy and emphasized the crucial role of awareness and communication within families in preventing femicide incidents.
“When addressing domestic violence, it’s essential to communicate and recognize signs before it escalates to a dire situation. If a relationship isn’t working, the plea is for men not to resort to violence but to part ways amicably,” said Senator Mutinda.
Data from the Africa Data Hub (ADH) revealed significant patterns in intimate partner and stranger killings, with stabbing and hacking prevalent in the former and strangulation in the latter.
Disturbingly extreme methods, including hacking, beheading, and burnings, have been documented, with firearms most prevalent when perpetrators are affiliated with law enforcement.
An analysis showed an escalation in the number of women killed by their intimate partners, totaling over 500 cases from January 2016 to December 2023.
The report pointed out that in 75% of the reported cases, the perpetrator was someone familiar to the victim—either an intimate partner, relative, or friend.
