President William Ruto during the signing of the Kenya Kwanza Women Charter vowed to ensure implementation of the two-thirds gender rule in the first three months of his regime by allocating half of his cabinet positions to women.
This was fulfilled on Tuesday when the Head of State named 10 women to his 22-member cabinet, which is almost half of the share he had promised.
Seven women were picked for Cabinet Secretary positions and three to Cabinet-level portfolios.
President Ruto speaking at the state house announced that Alice Wahome will head the water, sanitation and irrigation, Senator Soipan Tuya environment and forestry, Penina Malonza is the Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage head, while Susan Nakhumicha Wafula is the new Cabinet Secretary for Health.
Others include; Florence Bore, labor, and Social Protection docket, Monica Juma National Security Advisor, Harriet Chiggai Women rights agency advisor, and Mercy Wanjau Secretary to the Cabinet.
According to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance agreement, Dr. Ruto nominated Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi as the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Ford-K leader Moses Wetangula and Pamoja African Alliance’s (PAA) Amason Kingi were proposed to take up National Assembly and Senate Speakers slots, respectively which they all have been awarded.
Other promises made by the President to women include; promote access to better healthcare for all women, creating a Sh50 billion fund for women and the youth, providing new mothers with free diapers for three months and give free sanitary pads to school girls.