Raila, women leaders in talks on recovery plan

Raila Odinga with Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu (left), Public Service, Youth and Gender CS Margaret Kobia, Public Service and Gender Chief Administrative Secretary Rachel Shebesh and Kirinyaga Governor, Anne Waiguru at Capital Hill in Nairobi yesterday.[David Gichuru, Standard]

ODM leader Raila Odinga yesterday met female leaders to discuss the post-Covid- 19 recovery programme and gender equity. 

In attendance at his Capitol Hill office in Nairobi were Public Service CS Margaret Kobia, Homa Bay Women Representative Gladys Wanga, Governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui).

Raila termed the current situation in the country as serious, noting, “We are going through three disasters - floods, locusts, and Covid-19.”

He acknowledged that several Kenyans were suffering and assured them of government’s help in mitigating the crisis, explaining that the government was currently designing a strategy to restore the country after Covid-19.

“Our people are hungry, our people are dying, some because of Covid-19, others because of floods all over the country. We feel for them. We feel for the people who are losing their loved ones and we want to tell them that we are with them during this time of suffering and we are going to work together to repair our country once this disaster is over,” Raila said.

According to Raila, meeting the women leaders was critical as the post-Covid-19 recovery programme will require unity and the participation of all parties. Raila also discussed gender issues with the leaders, which are also part of the Building Bridges Initiative.  “The drafting of the final BBI document is at a very advanced stage. Concerns were raised by this team to ensure that the issues that are affecting women are captured in the final document, which will be released soon,” said Raila, adding that BBI will ensure equality among Kenyans, regardless of factors such as gender.

“Moving forward, women need to be included in leadership and decision-making, in economic empowerment, in peace and security-building, and women need to be protected from gender-based violence,” CS Kobia said, noting that these topics formed the discussion between the leaders and Raila.