DEPARTMENTS

State Department of Public

Service and Youth ***

State Department of Gender Affairs

***

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

First Lady at the Australian Awards

Ceremony………………………………. 2

Steering Committee to prepare for NYC

elections formed………………………… 2

Kisumu youth recycle garbage to earn a

living, thanks to YEDF ………………… 3

Kericho Huduma Centre opened……… 3

NGEC seeks to create grass root equality

movement ………………………………. 4

Ministry’s achievements three year’s

later …………………………………….. 4

Use Women to Preach Peace…………… 5

Pictorial ………………………………….6

A Publication of the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs

ISSUE NO. 003

WEZESHA

29th February — 12th March 2016

Women want change they can feel

holders and actors in the gender

space to secure commitments

for the advancement of initia-

tives on women empowerment.

The one day workshop resolved

to develop a joint Gender

Based Violence Prevention

Framework to address gaps in

the fight against women; coor-

dinate the development of a

regional framework on dealing

with GBV with the EAC region

and support the process of en-

suring the provision of the 2/3

gender principle is agreed and

passed by August, 2016.

Mrs. Kariuki stressed on the

need to build partnerships

across different sectors in the

private and public sectors, not-

ing that collaborations and

partnerships have made real

differences especially in the

Anti-FGM Campaigns, devel-

opment of the Kenya National

Action Plan on UNSCR 1325

and the ongoing process of de-

veloping a Commonwealth Busi-

ness Centre to promote women

enterprise.

“There is need to harmonize

collaborations and partnerships

that can deliver meaningful

change, by ensuring that delivery

on gender issues is effective,

seamless, and impactful,” She

said.

The stakeholder’s forum was

guided by four thematic areas;

Eliminating Sexual and Gender

Based Violence and FGM; Ac-

celerating Women’s Economic

Empowerment; Achieving full

participation of Women in Poli-

tics and Decision Making; and

Deeping partnerships across

ministries, Departments and

Agencies.

A standard five

pupil and Anti

FGM Crusader

Ms. Shiluni Shi-

rim speaks during

the National

Stakeholders Con-

sultative Forum

held on 9th March,

2016 at Laico

Regency Hotel

By Browne Kutswa

A stakeholders meeting on women

empowerment heard that women

want real impact that they can see

and feel and not tokenism.

Cabinet Secretary, Sicily Kariuki

told the National Stakeholders

Consultative Forum on Gender

Equality and Women Empower-

ment that the gender agenda must

be seen to add real value for wom-

en and girls.

“Real difference is the name of the

game. What the women at home,

in the streets, in schools, in public

offices, in the market place are

crying out for is real impact, real

change. Change they can see, feel

and attribute directly to the work

we are doing,” Mrs. Kariuki said.

The meeting was held at Laico

Regency hotel on 9th March 2016

and brought together key stake-

2

First Lady at the Australian Awards Ceremony

By Caroline Musasia

First Lady Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta presided

over the opening ceremony of the Australian

Awards - Women’s in Leadership Network

Forum that was held at Windsor Hotel on

10th March 2016.

She congratulated the awardees who had

joined the ranks of other high achieving wom-

en noting that investing in women is a sure

way of unlocking the potential of our conti-

nent.

Mrs. Kenyatta noted that women by nature are

catalysts, change makers, bridge builders,

problem solvers and peace seekers. “They are

also listeners, careers, thinkers and doers.”

She observed that it was very difficult to find

a successful woman who has had their success

handed to them on a silver platter.

“Women have to work extremely hard to get

what they want’, she stressed.

The program that was organized hot on the

heels of the celebration of the International

Women’s Day brought together women

achievers to share experiences, learn from

each other and explore career opportunities

that will position them as development

change agents.

First Lady Marga-

ret Kenyatta gives

her key note ad-

dress during the

ceremony of the

Australian

Awards—Women

in Leadership Net-

work Forum held

on 10th March

2016 on her left is

Director HRM

Simon Angote and

Gender Affairs PS

Zeinab Hussein.

The event was also addressed by the Principal

Secretary for Gender Affairs, Zeinab Hussein,

and the Australian High Commissioner to

Kenya, John Feakes, others present were

heads of missions, partners, Deputy Governor

Narok County and nominated Senator Be-

atrice Elachi.

Steering Committee to prepare for NYC elections formed

By Marianne Kisanji

A steering committee has been formed to plan

for elections of new officials of the National

Youth Council following the expiry of the

term of the current office holders on Decem-

ber, 10th 2015. Kobia Wakamau, Secretary

Administration will coordinate the exercise

that was last held in 2012.

The elections will be held from the ward level

for representation of youths from the grass-

roots level.

At the ward level, 6 delegates will be elected

to represent the ward at the constituency or

the sub-county level, where they would elect 6

delegates to represent the particular sub-

county at the county level.

Those elected would proceed to the county

level to elect the 3 county delegates who

would form the National Delegates Forum.

At the national level, a National Youth Con-

gress will be held through which 16 officials

of the National Youth Council will be elected

into office for a three year period.

The election exercise will be preceded by a

one month registration exercise of the youth

because only registered youth will be allowed

to take part in the election process.

The election guidelines are being reviewed to

ensure that they comply with the require-

ments of the constitution. There will be in-

tense awareness creation on the guidelines to

ensure that the youth understand the regula-

tions through which the electioneering pro-

cess will be conducted. This will be conduct-

ed through regional forums targeting youth

from these particular regions for sensitiza-

tion.

The committee also plans to lobby the Kenya

Young Parliamentarians in preparation for

parliament discussion once the miscellaneous

Amendment Bill is tabled in the national as-

sembly.

To this end a breakfast meeting was organized

by the Committee for young parliamentarians

for a briefing and brainstorming session in

regard to the Amendment of the National

Youth Council Act and the Elections guide-

lines and regulations at Hotel Intercontinental

on 24th March 2016.

Hon. Johnson Sakaja,

Chairman of the Kenya

Young Parliamentarians

Association and Nomi-

nated MP with Mrs.

Lilian Omollo, Principal

Secretary Public Service

and Youth Affairs during

the breakfast meeting

held to discuss proposed

amendments of the Na-

tional Youth Council Act

2009 and NYC election at

Intercontinental Hotel on

24th March 2016.

3

Kisumu youth recycle garbage to earn a living, thanks to YEDF

By Felista Moraa

Over the years, the idea of collecting

and making use of waste materials

has been viewed as dirty business

meant for street families who rum-

mage through garbage bags in urban

estates.

However this is different for the

Zingira Nyanza Community Craft, a

youth Community Based Organiza-

tion in Kisumu County that has uti-

lized garbage recycling as an income

generating activity.

For the past 11 years, Zingira Nyan-

za has successfully transformed

communities within Kisumu into

habitable areas through collecting

and using waste materials to produce

a range of handicraft products from

recycled and locally sourced materi-

als.

The 15 member group not only tar-

gets revenue generation through

recycling waste but also helps in

environmental conservation.

The group has employed a total of

twenty youth who work in various areas of specialization namely

weaving, paper craft, tin craft, painting and wire craft.

Initially the Crafts business was set up using Ksh. 16,000 that was

contributed by members but the need to expand the business forced

the group to look for alternative ways of getting the much needed

capital.

In 2009 the group applied for Ksh. 50,000 Youth Fund Rausha loan

and they successfully acquired.

The growth of their business coupled with good marketing wit-

nessed an increased demand for

their products prompting Zingira

Nyanza to seek the refinancing of

the business by applying for anoth-

er Ksh. 100, 000.

Today, Zingira Nyanza Community

Crafts generates a total profit of

Ksh200,000 per month which is

sufficient enough to sustain each

and every member of the group as

well as the business.

According to Richard Omollo,

Zingira Nyanza Group Chairman,

through the proceeds of their busi-

ness has been able to train artisans

who make, distribute and sell their

products in Kisumu and beyond.

He further says due to high quality

of their products, they have been

able to penetrate the international

market by exporting to the western

Countries specifically in Europe,

USA and Australia.

Kericho Huduma Centre opened

By Marianne Kisanji

The Kericho Huduma Centre opened its doors

to the public early this month. The latest kid

on the block is the 32nd Huduma centre to be

opened in the country. Huduma centers now

exist in 27 counties.

More than 25 government services will be

offered at the Center that is housed in Ardhi

House building in the centre of Kericho

town. The staff has been trained in readiness

to offer the different services to the public.

The Kericho Governor, Prof. Paul

Chepkwony, officially opened the new

Huduma Centre and said he pledged to offer

total support the center needed to operate in

the town. He congratulated the Huduma Sec-

retariat for a job well done. He also urged the

staff at the centre to exemplify excellence in

their duties because they were the face of the

government. He urged them to serve the pub-

lic without discrimination.

The Governor urged the residents of Kericho

to make use of the centre, which was a one

stop shop centre for all government services.

He was accompanied during the occasion by

the Principal Secretary for Public Service and

Youth, Lillian Omollo and the Kericho Depu-

ty Governor, Mrs. Susan Kikwai.

The Huduma Secretariat CEO Dennis Mutuku

said the Kericho center was the best since it

had been established while considering the

lessons learnt from the earlier centers.

Other Huduma Centres that were opened this

year include Kitale, Busia, Taita Taveta, Laik-

ipia,Nyandarua, Kericho and Garissa.

The Huduma Secretariat intends to open other

Huduma Centres in Nandi, Baringo, Tharaka

Nithi Homabay, Marsabit, Samburu, Narok,

Migori under the 100 days ministerial Rapid

Results Initiative.

Their RRI goal was to increase the number of

Huduma Centers in the Country from 26 to 41

in 100 days.

Huduma Secretariat Chief Executive Officer Dennis Mutuku with his team during the offi-

cial opening of Huduma Center Kericho Branch on March 5th, 2016

4

NGEC seeks to create grass root equality movement

Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki (3rd Left) during the official opening of the National Gender Equality

Commission's event to mark the International Women's Day at Panafric Hotel. on 7th March 2016

By Kawira Githinji

The National Gender and Equality Commis-

sion celebrated International Women’s day on

7th March 2016 at the Panafric Hotel, a day

before the International Women’s day.

The event themed “Pledge for parity”

brought together County Executives and grass

root champions from 47 counties, develop-

ment partners, non-state actors, government

agencies among others to discuss strategies

for creating a grass root movement of champi-

ons of equality and inclusion.

Speaking at the event, Cabinet Secretary Sici-

ly Kariuki, emphasized government’s com-

mitment to gender equality and the empower-

ment of women as entrenched in the Constitu-

tion.

“The constitution guarantees commitment to

gender equality, recognizes economic and

social rights including the right to property,

housing, clean environment, health and

strongly focuses on non-discrimination in

public appointive and elective positions,”

Mrs. Kariuki said.

Acknowledging efforts by government on

women and economic empowerment and

enhancing women’s leadership in decision

making, she noted that we are yet to meet the

provisions of the “no more than two thirds’

gender rule.

“I urge our Members of Parliament and all

parties involved to accord this matter priority

and agree on a practical and legally sound for-

mula in order to break the stalemate and avoid

a constitutional crisis,” she said.

The CS called on the County Executives

and grass root champions to take up their

roles of implementing the affirmative

action and take the message to where the

women are.

Ministry’s achievements three year’s later

By Kawira Githinji

Principal Secretary Mrs. Lilian Omollo de-

fended the ministry's development record

highlighting key achievements in the areas of

Public Service Transformation, Youth Em-

powerment and Gender Equality and Women

Empowerment.

Speaking during the 2016 Inter-Ministerial

Public Symposium at Kenyatta International

Convention Centre, the PS highlighted excel-

lent transformation in service delivery result-

ing from the establishment of 32 Huduma

Centres in different counties where citizens

receive about 45 government services under

one roof. She emphasized excellent customer

service experience which stands at 95% and

the international awards received for excel-

lence in service delivery. The Huduma Cen-

tres are spread evenly across the country.

On Youth Empowerment programs, she dis-

closed that a study released in April last year

revealed that the rate of crime had drastically

reduced in Kibera due to youth being gainful-

ly engaged. This is as a result of the Minis-

try's initiatives to address the challenge of

unemployment among the youth which forms

the biggest population. Improvement of NYS

program provides a real opportunity for youth

to get gainful employment through participa-

tion in socio-

economic devel-

opment activities

and vocational

training.

On affirmative

funds, the ministry

has established

platforms to create

sustainable entre-

preneurship busi-

nesses, strength-

ened models of

beneficiaries’

selection through

biometric registra-

tion to avoid cases

of a few people

benefiting from the

revolving funds

over and over. A

total of Kshs.

136B has been

disbursed to different groups across the

country in the last three years. She urged

the youth to improve their repayment cul-

ture to enable all to benefit.

Principal Secretary, Public Service Public Service and Youth Affairs , Mrs. Lilian

Omollo answers questions from the audience during the 2016 Inter-Ministerial

Public Symposium held on 18th March 2016 at KICC on her right is sports Cabi-

net Secretary and Hassan Wario and Joe Mucheru of ICT

5

Use Women to Preach Peace

By Marianne Kisanji

The International Women’s Day was celebrat-

ed on the 8th of March with a call to include

women in peace and conflict resolution.

It was pomp and colour at the Kenyatta Inter-

national Convention Centre (KICC) where the

celebrations that were held and were presided

over by the First Lady of the Republic of Ken-

ya Her Excellency, Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta.

Hundreds of women from all walks of life

congregated at the KICC to celebrate the

day whose The UN global theme was “pledge

for parity” which was domesticated to the

Kenyan context to “Husisha Wanawake,

Dumisha Amani” (Involve Women, Enhance

Peace.)

The International Women’s Day is an annual

event observed every 8th March world- wide

and was designated by the United Nations to

be commemorated by all UN Member States

in pursuit of equal rights for women and

men. This is the day when women all over

the world reflect on the opportunities and

highlight their achievements, potentials and

struggles especially for peace, equal rights,

social and economic progress.

The First Lady, Mrs. Kenyatta said women

often fostered peace and conciliation yet

there is a disproportionate number of the

female gender to be protected in conflict and

post-conflict settings

“Rape, FGM, all remain very real, daily

threats to too many women in Kenya and

Africa. Women, girls and children are espe-

cially targeted as vulnerable members of the

society” observed the first lady Kenyatta who

was the chief guest at the celebrations held at

the KICC in Nairobi.

She added that true peace and development can

only be achieved through the inclusion of

women in all community initiatives and pro-

grammes including peace building.

The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Pub-

lic Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, Sicily

Kariuki echoed these sentiments when she said

sustainable peace must take into account the

participation of women in the community. Par-

ticipation of women in peace building and con-

flict resolution will eventually elevate the

women and promote gender equality, she said

During the occasion, the Kenya national action

plan for the implementation of the United Na-

tions Security Council resolution 1325 was

launched by the First Lady. The plan recogniz-

es the importance of women participation and

the need to increasingly use their influence to

spearhead peace for the benefit of the society.

The plan which involved a participatory ap-

proach highlighted the need to have an in-

creased representation of women in the security

agencies.

Kenya Women Parliamentary Association

(KEWOPA) chairperson Cecily Mbarire rallied

support from the women in the country to seek

elective posts so that they could lobby for and

have the 2/3rds gender rule to be realized.

Mbarire /announced her intention to vie for a

gubernatorial seat in the next general elections.

First Lady

Margaret

Kenyatta in

the company

of other dele-

gates during

the Interna-

tional Wom-

en’s Day cele-

brations at

KICC.

Cabinet Secretary Mrs. Sicily Kariuki

giving Kenya's position and actions to-

wards financing Gender Equality and

Women's Empowerment (GEWE), when

she co-hosted a high level event with

Mexico, China and Denmark at the 60th

Session of the Commission on the Status

of Women (CSW) that took place at the

United Nations Headquarters in New

York from 14th to 24th March 2016.

The theme of the event was "Beyond com-

mitment to action: Fulfilling Global

Leaders Promises on GEWE towards

2030 Transformative Agenda for Sustain-

able Development."

The CS who was the Head of Kenya Dele-

gation reaffirmed Kenya's commitment

for Gender Equality and Women Empow-

erment.

Commission on the Status of Women 2016

RRI COUNT DOWN

Launch :

22nd January 2016

Midterm :

11th March 2016

End term :

2nd May 2016

36

days to go

Www.psyg.go.ke

@Mo_psyga

Ministry of Public Service, Youth

and Gender Affairs

Photography

Eric Bosire

Design and Layout Kawira Githinji

PICTORIAL

Assistant Editor

Caroline Musasia

Editor

Browne Kutswa

Principal Secretary, Public Service and Youth Mrs. Lilian Omollo with some of the President’s

Award– Kenya participants during the adventure mission to the top of Mt. Kenya on 13th March

2016

Cabinet Secretary, Mrs

Sicily Kariuki with Minis-

ter for Gender, Republic

of Malawi, Patricia Kal-

iati during the Commis-

sion on the Status of

Women (CSW) 2016 held

in New York from 14th to

24th March 2016.