Appointments to State Corporations and Parastatals

The National Gender and Equality Commission has noted the recent appointments of 26 Chairpersons to various boards of State Corporations and parastatals by H.E the President and the resultant hue and cry.  We note that the appointments go against the gender and inclusion principles as envisaged in the Constitution.

Article 27(8) of the Kenya Constitution 2010 obligates the State to implement the principle that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender.  Article 232 of the Constitution also provides for the values of public service which include; representation of Kenya’s diverse communities, affording adequate and equal opportunities for appointment, training and advancement at all levels of the public service; of men and women the members of all ethnic groups and persons with disabilities.  A quick analysis of the list also fails to meet the cardinal rule of diversity.

While the Commission is cognizant that the appointments are being done progressively, we are disturbed that the indications so far appear to fly in the face of gender equality and inclusion principles especially for the women, youth and persons with disability as espoused by the letter and spirit of the Constitution.  The process must be as good as the end result in order to meet the progressive realization threshold.

The President has in the past declared his support for the empowerment of youth, women and persons with disabilities in key decision making organs and we urge him to honour his promise by progressively including the special interest groups. We also urge Parliament to fast-track the establishment of a legal framework to anchor gender equality and representation in law as envisaged in Art. 27(8) of the Constitution.

WINFRED O. LICHUMA

CHAIRPERSON

APPOINTMENTS TO STATE CORPORATIONS AND PARASTATALS