President Uhuru Kenyatta.[Photo/PSCU]
President Uhuru Kenyatta has been asked to appoint at least seven women to his cabinet ahead of the much awaited second term executive of Jubilee administration.
The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) now says in the spirit of constitutionalism, President Kenyatta needs not to appoint more than two-thirds of individuals of the same gender to his cabinet.
Through an advert in Nation the lobby group said it is well set to recommend to the head of State names of those women deemed qualified.
“The women of Kenya call upon you to uphold the spirit and letter of the Constitution. We look forward to at least seven Cabinet seats assigned to competent and qualified women,” Ms Josephine Wambua-Mongare, the chairperson of the FIDA-Kenya conveyed through the paper.
Ms Mongare further said the inclusion of more women should equally apply in the assignment of other state jobs.
This according to her would guarantee women’s right to equity and equality and ensure they are included in decision-making.
She however mentioned that the organisation was aware of the immense pressure on President Kenyatta to constitute a Cabinet based on loyalty received from close allies and political friends he gathered in the electioneering period.
“The women of Kenya are cognisant of the various calls advising you to allocate Cabinet seats advised on political allegiance, tribal inclusion, reminder of campaign promises, rewards for support to your government and claims of track records,” Ms Mongare noted.
President Kenyatta’s cabinet currently has five women. They are; Raychelle Omamo (Defence), Phyllis Kandie (East African Community, Labour and Social Protection), Sicily Kariuki (Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs), Amina Mohammed (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Prof Judi Wakhungu (Environment).