The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has highlighted missing links in the formation of Cabinet while issuing a statement on Constitutional compliance in Cabinet nominations after Dorcas Oduor and Beatrice Askul Moe were nominated by President William Ruto.
President Ruto on Tuesday, July 30, nominated Dorcas Oduor and Beatrice Askul Moe as Attorney General (AG) and Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Ministry of East African Community Affairs (EAC) and Regional Development, respectively.
NGEC in a statement by its chairperson Dr. Joyce Mutinda acknowledged the President for the nominations, adding that they are a positive step towards aligning the Cabinet with the constitutional requirements for gender balance.
“The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has acknowledged H.E President William Ruto’s nominations of Ms. Dorcas Agik Oduor SC, EBS, OGW for Attorney General and Ms. Beatrice Askul Moe for Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Community Affairs (EAC) and Regional Development. These nominations are a positive step towards aligning the Cabinet with the constitutional requirements for gender balance,” read part of the statement.
However, NGEC pointed out that despite the progress in gender representation, the absence of persons with disabilities (PWDs) among the current nominees still serves as a missing link.
NGEC on PWDs Representation After Ruto Picks Two Female Nominees
The Commission highlighted that Article 54(2) of the Constitution mandates a 5% representation of PWDs.
According to the Commission, the proposed Cabinet now consists of 25 members, including President Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Attorney-General, and 22 CSs.
NGEC highlighted another missing link saying that the gender composition now falls short of only 1% to comply with Constitutional recommendations.
The Constitution stipulates that no more than two-thirds of the members of an appointive body should be of the same gender.
“The gender composition includes 17 males, representing 68%, and 8 females, representing 32%, thereby falling short of only 1% to comply with Article 27(8) of the Constitution,” the Commission said.
Also Read: Ruto Pressured to Pick a Female Attorney General
NGEC further commended the President’s efforts towards gender balance and representation of youth and marginalized communities.
At the same time, the commission urged the National Assembly to rigorously vet all nominees, ensuring strict adherence to Chapter 6 of the Constitution regarding leadership and integrity.
The Commission argues that only those who meet these stringent requirements should be approved to ensure a Cabinet that embodies equality, non-discrimination, and ethical leadership.
“We will closely monitor the vetting process and the Cabinet’s subsequent performance to ensure constitutional compliance,” added NGEC.
Also Read: Dorcas Oduor: Who is the New Attorney General Nominee?
Ruto Pressured to Pick Female Attorney General
The statement by NGEC comes after the commission pressured President Ruto to appoint a female AG to fill the position.
NGEC had on July 25 highlighted that Ruto’s first nominations consisted of 15 male and 6 female candidates, adding that the total composition including the President and his DP Gachagua who are both male, was 17 males and 6 females.
The commission said the composition of the cabinet nominated by Ruto failed to meet the principal of two thirds gender rule as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
To comply with this requirement, NGEC said that women must fill the remaining two positions for the Attorney-General and one CS.
Additionally, the commission then said at least one of these female candidates should have been a person with a disability.
However, the requirement to nominate a person among PWDs was not met as President Ruto on Tuesday announced Dorcas Oduor as the nominee for the vacant AG position, and Beatrice Askul Moe, for appointment as the CS for East African Community Affairs (EAC) & Regional Development.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
