Category: gender news

(on the left)CECM for ICT, Gender and Social Services Hon. Richard Parsitau and Dr.Messo Watson(on the right) from Ken chic company having a look at the one day old chicks

A long discussion of social responsibility that the company owns the people of Kenya farmers in particular had reached to a conclusion when they handed over a poultry house and gave out 1000-one day old chicks to Athi River Prisoners Women Group in Kitengela, Oloosirikon and Sholinke ward in Kajiado East.

Speaking during the delivery of the chicks Dr.Messo Watson Ken chic company vet said the chicks will help the group to start poultry production as well as sustain their own lively hood and supply of eggs to the region. The doctor noted that this was not the first group to help since they have also issued to the disabled groups and to the orphan’s in some parts of the country.

CECM for ICT, Gender and Social Services Hon. Richard Parsitau acknowledged the project by assuring the team present that sooner or later the county government will sign an M.O.U with Ken chic company for the benefit of the community.

The Minister further outlined the technical support and advice ken chic have given to the group’s inconjuction with the county government office from the ministry of gender and livestock. Articulating the support ken chic has shown in supporting the women group.

The project will progress soon in Oloolua before heading to Kajiado Central to support Revelation 15 Company Limited.

Anti-FGM and county officials in Dalalekutuk in Kajiado Central

Maasai elders in Dalalekutuk in Kajiado Central yesterday blessed more than 500 girls who chose the Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) instead of the traditional Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The girls aged 9 to 15 years who went through the alternative rite of passage graduated as young boys embarked on them saying they are ready to marry girls who are not cut.

The ceremony that was preside by Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Youth and Gender Affair Sicilia Kariuki was attended by local leaders led by H.E Kajiado County Deputy Governor Paul Ntiati, the chairperson of the National Anti-FGM Board Lenah Jebii Kilimo, CECM and C.O for ICT, Gender and Social services Hon Parsitau and John Njoroge respectively, CECM for Education Jeremiah Nairowua and a number of MCAs among other county officials.

The Cs noted the neglect of the outlawed practice was a testimony of the milestones being achieved in the fight against the FGM.

The Deputy Governor Hon. Paul Ntiati assured the crowd that as a county government they are ready to support and they have been supporting to end the cut in the county. This comes after they come up with a policy against FGM that suits the county. The policy is now in second stage in the county assembly. The policy will protect young girls from the act of trauma.  Lauding the pillars in the community who have been spearheading the cut for confessing and put down their tools and stop the act.

The young boys present in the occasion demonstrated that they will not wed the circumcised girls. In his sentiment Nickson Malei the chairman for the young boys said “We will not wed the cut girls, they are passed by time hence we encourage them to work harder in education and aim for degrees to better their life’s.”

The cultural female circumcise-rs, whom are the cultural decision-makers burn down their tools after the event as a sign of ending the act in the community.

H.E the Deputy Governor and stakeholder Bishop David Bates from USA

Kajiado County Deputy Governor H.E Paul Ntiati yesterday officially opened a rescued home, Hope beyond Transitional Center in Loitoktok, Kimana ward. Speaking during the function the deputy lauded the family of John and Dorcas for the initiative and vision for the sacrifices and effort they made to secure the future of young girls who are evading the cut and early marriages.
The deputy called on different stakeholders to join hands to ensure all children get their rights especially the girl child, who gets a lot of challenges and trauma when the cut is done. Outlining the challenges the governor said the biggest challenge in ending FGM has always been the fact that it is culturally entrenched, and has the backing of cultural leaders. Urging the community to come out to support the children experiencing such challenges and take a firm stand against FGM. “The laws of Kenya must be upheld. FGM must not be allowed, and we will see to it that anyone caught subjecting young girls to these practice is dealt with appropriately”.
He further noted that the county government is ready to partner with all stakeholders to end the practice of FGM in the county and the entire nation.
John Parit the initiator thanked the county government for the endless support they displayed to the needy children and preventing FGM. He urged the community to joins hands and help such children since children belong to everyone.
Dr. Josephine kulea one of the partners from Samburu county and Bishop David Bates from USA were in attendance.

HE.Dr Nkedienye shaking hands with Osotua women group

The Governor of Kajiado County Dr.David Nkedienye joined Osotua Women group in Sultan Kajiado East Kinyawa poka ward to raise funds to build a milk dairy house. He was accompanied with the Member of Parliament for East Africa Judy Pareno and other government officials. The group already had a milking machine that helped them collect milk from the vicinity and in return make profit from the milk.

Speaking during the occasion the governor said the county government will support the group with resources from women fund so that they can do better in generating income from other sources other than livestock.
Nkedienye urged men to support women in their work so that they can achieve their goals.
Member of Parliament for East Africa Judy Pareno lauded the effort of the groups as a way of helping them earn a living. Outlining the progress of other women group from Oloilalei and Ildamat, Judy said “Oloilalei and Ildamat are doing extremely good as per last year they managed to raise a whooping 60 million on selling their milk.”
Chair lady Charity Kokuai applauded the men for giving them a chance to do the business without any disruption. She also praised the county government for the support towards the fund drive and urged them to offer training to the group.

The Deputy Governor Hon Paul Ntiati leads celebrations in Shompole to mark the day of the African child.

Residents of Shompole Kajiado County joined the World in celebrating International day of the African child that takes place on June 16 every year, in collaboration with

Residents of Shompole Kajiado County joined the World in celebrating International day of the African child that takes place on June 16 every year, in collaboration with KACCSNET, Magadi soda company, Ministry of ICT, and Citizen Participation to sensitize the community on the day of the African child.

The occasion was grace by H.E the Deputy Governor Hon. Paul Ntiati accompanied by the CECM Gender, ICT and Social services Hon Parsitau, CECM Education Hon.Jeremiah Nairowua, County Director for Education John Olotua, area Hon. Mca Parken and other county officials.

Speaking during the event the deputy Governor gave a standing ovation to the stake holders for marvelous work they are doing to save the life’s of children and support those in need.

ICT CECM Hon Parsitau spearheads a meeting at the Governors boardroom in preparation for the day of the African child, with him are various stakeholders.

CECM ICT, Gender and Social Services Hon Richard  Parsitau accompanied by CECM in charge of Education Hon.Jeremiah Nairowua, County Director of  Education John Olotua, spearheaded a meeting at the Governors boardroom following the last meeting held at Tumaini Gardens with different stakeholders to review the first draft of the first ever kajiado county ANTI-FGM policy and also discuss the day of the African child which will be celebrated on 16^th June at Shompole primary school.  Hon.Parsitau pleaded all people to honour that day and join them at shompole Primary School asthe Governor will grace the occasion. Urging stakeholders to be in the front line during that day to ensure success. Voicing to shompole residents and Kajiado County at large to come and celebrate the occasion together.

Speaking during the meeting CECM Education Hon.Jeremiah Nairowua lauded the effort from stakeholders who sacrificed their time and effort to ensure all children get their rights especially the girl child, who has a lot of challenges and trauma when the act of FGM is being done to her. Passing the information to all teachers around Shompole are to honor that day and join the residents in celebration of the day as sign of victory. “I urge all teachers to join residents at shompole primary school to celebrate the day of African child as a sign of victory to all of us.” Nairowua said.

CECM Parsitau follows proceedings during the ANTI -FGM Stakeholders meeting held in Tumaini Gardens

CECM ICT, Gender and Social Services Hon Richard Parsitau, spearheaded a meeting at Tumaini Gardens with different stakeholders to review the first draft of the first ever Kajiado County  ANTI FGM policy and also discuss the day of the African child which will be celebrated on 16^th June at Shompole primary school. Those present were ANTI FGM STAKEHOLDERS, KACCSNET, Gender and Social Service. According to Hon.Parsitau all stakeholders came together to own the process and to address child rights, voicing to all people to respect children so that they can achieve their education among other rights.

Dancan Sakimba who works for Feed The Children and also the Kajiado County children stakeholder network chairman lauded the support from different partners in terms of supporting the budget towards shompole. Voicing to all people to embrace unity to fight against FGM. According to Sakimba, “there is a national law, but we what a county law that can end FGM. Something that the community can own or be passed  by the County Assembly and then to be subjected to the public scrutiny as the only way to end FGM.” Sakimba said, also pomising that they will fully work hand in hand with other stakeholders to ensure the young girls are protected from the Act of FGM. Agreeing with the Act as inhuman act and enumerated that girls had being going through a lot of challenges and trauma especially when the act is being done. He did not hesitate to welcome people to join hands in celebrating the day of the African Child coming 16^th June..

Hon Richard Parsitau the CECM incharge of ICT, Gender and Social Services with other stakeholders where they agreed to FGM in the county.

CECM ICT, Gender and Social Services Hon Parsitau, spearheaded a meeting at Tumaini Gardens with different stake holders to come up with a policy or a law against FGM in the county. Those present were ANTI FGM Stakeholders, KACCSNET, County MCA’S, Gender and social services officers. Speaking during the gathering after assembling the MCA’S to buy the idea of how fight FGM in Kajiado, and how to interrogate the law, to come up with a mechanism especially regulation or policy which suits kajiado county. they agreed to come up with an anti FGM roadmap, that will begin on 23^rd march with the departments and stakeholders peeping in the law. The CECM referred FGM as a brutal activity whereby the rating given by National bureau of statistic (74%) was not accurate according the minister since FGM is highly practiced in the county. According to Hon. Parsitau pre Urban and rural areas in kajiado FGM is highly practiced.

Deputy county commissioner Samini Magogo also promised to work together with all stakeholders to stop FGM in the county since it had contributed to school dropouts. Magogo also condemned the Act saying it is so merciless and people must stop the Act.

Agreeing to Agnes Leina Anti FGM Board Director “if you make a cultural practice criminal is not possible, you can’t criminalize culture and it is hard to come up with laws against culture.”

According to her there is a national law, but what about county law that can end FGM. Something that the community can own or  be passed by the county Assembly and then to be subjected to the public scrutiny as the only way to end FGM.

MCA’S Benjamin Lemayian from Entonet Lenkisim ward applauded the idea saying that they will fully work hand in hand with other stakeholders the FGM board to make sure that they will come up with laws or regulations that will oversee the young girls protected from the Act of FGM.Lemayian agreeing with the Act as inhuman act and enumerated that girls have being going through a lot of challenges and trauma especially when the act is being done.

Gender officer Mrs Esther addressing wananchi recently during the Gender main streaming policy at Kitengela

The County Government through the Ministry of ICT, Gender and Culture yesterday has conducted an exclusive Gender mainstreaming policy validation program at Sandal wood Hotel Kitengela.
Addressing wanainchi Gender manager Mrs. Esther shena said that The Gender mainstreaming policy is a guideline to ensure that The County has plans, processes and procedures in gender mainstreaming.”This is a guideline to ensure that we have plans, procedures in the County Government, it is also important to know that when the government is working on various plans, they will be considering gender balance issue, persons with disabilities among others. “said Esther Shena.
Meanwhile she also added that The County Government through the Ministry of ICT &Gender has set aside some fund for the Youth and Women Empowerment initiatives where for a start it was ksh 100million and now what we are now waiting is just this Policy to go through, and once it is approved, we will be ready to go, and by then we will be able to know the number of both youth and Women groups to qualify plus the rates charged and grace period. This was an initiative of His Excellency The Governor,Dr Nkedienye.”Said Mrs Shena
On the Other side Outgoing County Executive for Information /Communication ,Gender. And Citizen Participation Honorable Gladys marima has expressed the various challenges surrounding the Gender of which she said that, The Gender mainstreaming issue might be a bit complicated to the common mwanainchi ,but it is all about giving gender issue a platform to be addressed to all Counties. I know it is so hard for the common mwanainchi to understand this, “This Gender mainstreaming might be a little bit complicated to the Common mwanainchi, but it is all about Giving Gender issues a platform to be addressed to all Counties “said Honorable Marima