Ramp, Braille, Women—Missing! NGEC Explodes RAAs Inclusion Myth

Beyond gender disparities, the Commission flagged fundamental accessibility failures that betrayed the conference’s own ecoconscious and inclusive branding. There was no provision for sign language interpretation, the main stage lacked a wheelchair ramp, and no braille materials were made available to visually impaired delegates. These omissions rendered the space physically and functionally exclusive, despite the conference's claim to serve a broad crosssection of the public sector.

What made NGEC’s intervention exceptional was its timing and approach. Hon. Jaldesa delivered the findings live from the conference floor, disrupting the business-as-usual culture of post-event reporting. Her intervention triggered a flurry of behind-the-scenes adjustments as organizers hurried to reshuffle moderators and diversify panels—an unmistakable signal that the message had landed: inclusion is no longer optional or symbolic.

The Commission’s stance was sharply reinforced by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, who criticized regulatory agencies for their reactive posture. “You are created by law. Why wait for media and citizens to jolt you into action?” he challenged,echoing NGEC’s assertion that true accountability must begin from within.

Following this high-profile reckoning, NGEC issued a formal advisory urging that all future conferences institute mandatory programme audits for gender balance and accessibility. The Commission called for a minimum 30% representation of women in speaker and moderator roles, guaranteed access for persons with disabilities—including ramps, sign language interpretation, and braille—and the integration of inclusion metrics into event planning and evaluation.

With over 129 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies represented at the forum, NGEC’s real-time oversight delivered a stinging wake-up call. The era of unchecked performative inclusion is over.

Hon. Jaldesa made it clear: “This is not business as usual. This is the Commission’s new frontline—where policies are shaped, optics matter, and exclusion must be dismantled in real time.”

NGEC Chairperson Hon. Rehema Jaldesa addresses delegates at the RAAs conference