Women MPs vow to back nominees

Women senators and MPs have vowed to support the six female nominees to Cabinet are endorsed by Parliament.

The women leaders spoke ahead of the vetting of 16 nominees by a National Assembly committee expected to begin on Tuesday.

Meeting under the auspices of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association in Mombasa at the weekend, the women promised to ensure the Committee on Appointments approves the nominees; Judi Wakhungu, Anne Waiguru, Phylis Kandie, Amina Mohamed, Charity Ngilu and Raychelle Omamo.

“The women picked for the six dockets are qualified, experienced, and professional enough to handle them. They bring in the necessary gender diversity that has been missing in governance for a long time,” the leaders said at the end of a three-day workshop at the Mombasa Continental Resort.

In a statement read by outgoing chairperson and former Marakwet East MP Linah Kilimo, the MPs and senators praised President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto “for the bold move” for picking a record number of women to the Cabinet and assigning them powerful ministries.

“It is a first for Kenya and a positive step in the right direction,” they said after a closed door meeting.

Meanwhile Kewopa has elected new set officials from both the National Assembly and the Senate.

Runyenjes MP Cecilly Mbarire is the new chairperson with nominated senator Lesuuda Naisula and Kwale Women Rep Zainab Chidzuga elected her deputies.