Africa-Press – Kenya. Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has nominated three more women to the position of CEC following an uproar from locals.
This makes four the number of women in his cabinet.
In his nomination, the governor has named nominated MCA Beatrice Odongo to the Sports, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs docket.
Others are Judith Oluoch ( Public Service, County Administration and Participatory Development, Office of the Governor) and Maryline Yanza Agwa Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.
The governor had initially nominated seven-person to various seats in his cabinet with only one woman.
The nominee were Greg Ganda (medical services, public health and sanitation), George Omondi Okong’o (finance, economic planning, ICT and e-governance services), Kennedy Hongo (lands, physical planning housing and urban development) and Salmon Orimba (infrastructure, energy and public works).
Others are John Awiti (education, technical training innovation and social services), Ken Onyango (agriculture, fisheries, livestock development and irrigation) and Farida Salim (trade, tourism, industry and marketing).
This caused a major uproar over the lack of gender balance, with some people saying the governor ought to have nominated women to the vacant departments.
They said Nyong’o must show that he is serious about the gender conversation.
The Resident called on the governor to ensure that the remaining slots are given to women.
Already a resident had filed a case before the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu, seeking to have the list of CECs cancelled.
Evans Otieno Oloo wants the court to declare that the nomination of the seven executives contravenes the principles of the rule of law and good governance.
He wants the county assembly barred from vetting and/or approving appointments until due compliance is met.
Oloo said women and marginalised people have been left out.
However last week, Nyong’o urged residents not to worry about gender balance in the nomination of county executive members.
Nyong’o said forming a government was a process and not an event.
He noted that he had only appointed two-thirds of the cabinet and that residents should not be worried.
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