’11 women in cabinet’ – Ngilu eagerly waits for Ruto to honour pledge
On his road to the State House, President William Ruto made a handful of promises and former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu now says she firmly stands behind the 50/50 gender rule.
However, she says it is a wait-and-see situation owing to Kenya's history of broken promises from politicians.
"He promised 50%. 11 women in cabinet, that we can support. Let’s wait and see," she tweeted.
This comes as more pressure mounts on the Head of State to obstinately honour his pledge to appoint at least 11 women to the Cabinet.
The need to live up to his word will ensure women are also at the forefront in decision-making and perhaps give Kenyans more faith in his administration.
Ruto made this daunting promise in May when he announced Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate.
Early this week, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Ruto would constitute the Cabinet within the next two weeks, stating Ruto was still keen to ensure men and women share the same slots.
“The promise is still there. The President has not indicated he will not fulfil it,” he said.
Other than gender considerations, the DP said other factors such as experience, commitment and regional balance would be at play in forming Cabinet appointees.
“We will have a Cabinet that has the capacity to deliver. There will be a nexus between the appointee and the docket,” he said.
Gachagua also defended the planned appointment of politicians to the Cabinet.
A number of politicians including Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Garissa Township MP Aden Duale have been rumoured to be heading there.
“There are politicians who have the capacity to work. They are not bad people. Let us not criminalise politicians,” he said.
Adding;
"There is nothing wrong with having politicians in the Cabinet.”
