The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has criticised President William Ruto for allegedly promoting ethnic exclusivity and gender disparity.
In a press statement on Saturday, the lobby group accused the Head of State of appointing and nominating too many cabinet secretaries from one region.
The human rights movement noted that by nominating William Kabogo, Lee Kinyanjui, and Ndiritu Muriithi to various government positions, Ruto contravened ethnic inclusivity, as the trio were all from the Mt Kenya region.
“With the new CS nominations, the Mt Kenya region is poised to dominate the cabinet. If the National Assembly approves Kabogo, Kinyanjui, and Kagwe, they will join Justin Muturi, Rebecca Miano, Alice Wahome, and Eric Muriithi in the cabinet,” KHRC stated.
President William Ruto delivers an address during the 11th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit at State House Nairobi, on Monday, December 16, 2024.
PCS
“When the president, deputy president, and attorney-general are included, eight cabinet members will be from the Mt Kenya region, constituting 34.7 per cent of the cabinet,” the statement added.
The commission further took a swipe at the president for allegedly promoting gender discrimination by failing to consider women in his recent cabinet appointments.
According to KHRC, only five of the 20 cabinet secretaries were women, representing just 25 per cent, while the entire cabinet had only six women out of 23 members.
Ruto was also accused of undermining the people’s sovereignty and the principles of democracy, and further contravening diversity, equity, and inclusivity as mandated by the Constitution.
“Such actions contravene the public’s trust and the obligation to exercise power in their interest. Article 10 of the Constitution identifies the key national values and principles of governance, including patriotism and national unity,” the commission stated.
KHRC’s statement came days after Ruto nominated Kabogo, Lee Kinyanjui, and Mutahi Kagwe to the positions of Cabinet Secretaries for Information Communication and Technology, Trade, and Agriculture, respectively.
In the press release issued on Thursday, December 19, the Head of State also nominated former Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen to the Interior and Coordination position.
Others appointed to key government positions included Muriithi who was nominated as Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) chairperson and Ababu Namwamba who was nominated as Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations Environment Programme.
Former CS, Mutahi Kagwe attends an event in Tigania East on Friday March 8
Photo
Peter Munya