Uhuru defend inclusion of women in his government
President Uhuru Kenyatta has come out to defend his government during his ten-year rule, saying his administration has ensured equality and inclusivity for all Kenyans.
The commander in chief, while giving an account of how his government has ensured equality by appointing women, stated that Kenya will make history in August by electing a woman deputy president.
This was in reference to Martha Karua, the running mate of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential flag bearer, Raila Odinga.
“I have had the pleasure of working with 11 women in my cabinet at different times and in different capacities; all of them have placed our county at a good place globally,” Uhuru said.
The President further said that in his efforts to foster inclusivity and gender parity he opened the way for women’s leadership and expanded their fields of participation in governance.
“For a long time, women’s affairs were relegated to the Department of Social Services; where they were grouped with children and persons living with disabilities. In fact, the first woman to be appointed as a Permanent Secretary happened 24 years after independence,” Uhuru said.
The commander in chief further said that if it is the wish of the electorate, Kenya has a chance of a woman shattering the glass ceiling by assuming the second-highest office in our Republic, the Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.
Uhuru was speaking in regard to Karua who alongside her captain former premier Odinga is seeking to succeed President Uhuru come August 9.
In the same breath, the President took the opportunity to thank his entire cabinet for their service during his ten-year rule at the helm of the country’s leadership.
“It will be my last Madaraka as President and I want to take this opportunity to thank each one of you. We have worked well together. It’s been both a pleasure and honour to have you with us,” the president told his Cabinet.
Speaking at State House Nairobi, the Head of State thanked his Cabinet for their contribution to his administration adding that it was an honour to serve with them.
“I am confident that we have laid a firm foundation for those who shall come after us to continue and build a bigger, brighter, and more prosperous Kenya than from where we have left off. Mine is to thank you for the work and may God bless you and God bless Kenya,” he added.
The Head of State presided over the Madaraka Day celebrations at the Uhuru Gardens, with the event being different from the previous ones.
There was a heavy presence of the military at the venue as they bid their commander-in-chief goodbye in his last Madaraka Day celebrations.
