Trans-Nzoia Deputy Governor Philomena Kapkory joined Governor Natembeya, and four other North Rift DGs in gracing Trans Nzoia Women Conference
Trans Nzoia deputy governor Philomena Kapkory joined governor George Natembeya, and her counterparts from the North Rift counties among other leaders in gracing the Trans Nzoia Women Conference.
In a ceremony marked by pomp and color at the Kenya Ministries Training Institute (KMTI) on the outskirts of Kitale town, at least 500 women from the North Rift Economic Block (NOREB) converged to chat on their development path.
Counties in the NOREB include Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi.
Mrs. Kapkory acknowledged that women had indeed made great strides but were yet to reach their intended destiny and hence challenged the entire womenfolk to rise to the occasion and accelerate the pace.
Despite many challenges, she said, women had withstood the tides and kept the ball rolling in the quest for gender parity adding that it was out of great humility, compassion, and hard work that many of them have been rising to leadership positions.
The deputy governor appreciated the women’s fraternity for their commitment to combat challenges such as gender-based violence, teen pregnancies, early marriages, and female genital mutilation issues which she noted to be still rife in today’s society.
“I have worked closely with fellow deputy governors and even closer with women deputy governors and I can attest that women’s agenda is close to their hearts and we shall continue to push it on,” said Mrs. Kapkory.
She challenged women to support their fellows in their spheres of influence however little citing that it was through such that the womenfolk can rise up to fight the challenges affecting them as they steer development.
Her Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Prof Grace Cheserek called on Governor Natembeya among other leaders to engage women in serious businesses including giving them opportunities to lucrative tenders in government.
She expressed her gratitude for the tremendous efforts of the steering committee to unite women so they can discuss their challenges and chat about their path forward in addressing issues afflicting them.
Prof Cheserek called for similar events to be held across the eight NOREB counties citing that it had great potential of instigating positive transformations among the women in the region.
“I am happy that in Trans Nzoia you have really empowered women through their SACCOs and now we also urge that you give them big tenders too for when a woman stands, everything becomes okay,” said Prof Cheserek.
She however regretted that in this era, women still ferry water from far flung places as well as carry firewood on their backs noting that it was time to address climatic challenges that occasion this, by planting trees to conserve water catchment areas such as Cherangany.
Nandi deputy governor Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot said it was high time women should be included in peace drives as well as in crafting gender strategies and drafting harmonized policies for the North Rift counties.
Dr. Cheruiyot further called for the inclusion of women from the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) in similar conferences in the future to expand the caucus and drive to champion the women’s agenda in the country.
Bungoma deputy governor Pastor Janepher Mbatiany said it was time for women to rise and grab opportunities instead of waiting for people to knock at their doors to wake them up.
She hailed Governor Natembeya for having women’s interests at heart and pledged her support to champion any agenda aimed at transforming their lives.
Her West Pokot counterpart Robert Komole pledged his support to the women’s caucus and hailed the Trans Nzoia county leadership for setting the pace.
In his speech, governor Natembeya noted that women have great potential and can do better when they are given favourable atmosphere pledging his support to empower them.
The county boss exuded confidence that the engagement will bear fruits with women rising up to the occasion just as he called on leaders to support the women’s fraternity.
The auspicious occasion was also attended by a host of other leaders including Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, County Secretary Truphosa Amere, County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers, and Members of the County Assembly among others.
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