The Kisii County Government has scooped a prestigious award for implementing the two thirds gender rule in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
The Government bagged the first runners up trophy during the 4th Annual Gender and Disability Mainstreaming Awards 2015. Kiambu County was top in the category. This is an Annual event organized by Gender Disability Development Centre.
H.E James Ongwae was elated with the recognition during the ceremony at Hilton Hotel, Nairobi.
“We have complied with the two thirds gender rule in line with Article 27 (8) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. In the County Executive Committee, four (4) out of ten (10) members are women. Equally, three of the 10 chief officers are women. The same principle applies in senior positions in the County including Directors, Sub County Administrators and Ward Administrators,” Ongwae told the meeting.
Last year, the County Government held a successful Capacity Building workshop for Persons with Disability in Kisii Town where over 450 participants attended. “My Government sponsored more than 90 Persons with Disability for a benchmarking tour at Bombolulu in Mombasa County where they were trained on entrepreneurship Skills,” Ongwae said.
The Governor said his administration is committed to attaining the 5 per cent threshold for Persons with Disability.
He said the government has reserved 30% of tenders and contracts to Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities.
The Government has also partnered with NACADA to build a rehabilitation centre in the county and the project is to start soon.
Ongwae emphasised the recognition and inclusion of the elderly people in the development of the county.
“That is why we refurbished a building for the Abagusii Elders Development Council and have equipped it with necessary infrastructure and staff so that they can be effective in discharging their duties,” the Governor said.
He said the elders often help in stemming tension amongst the Abagusii and their neighbours and fosters the spirit of reconciliation and coexistence.
The Governor was accompanied by the CEC in charge of Culture, Sports,Youth and Social Services, Marcellah Otuke.
Mrs Otuke said the award was an indication that the Government has mainstreamed gender and will continue to do even better.
“It further shows that we are ahead in comparison with other counties,” she said during an interview.
