EAST AFRICA TIMES

 By Kelvine Malick In a historic discourse surrounding Kenya's constitutional development, prominent political figures reflected on the long and arduous journey towards achieving gender equality in governance. The narrative,led by Martha Karua, rooted in the struggle for reforms that began in the late 1990s, underscores the persistent effort to incorporate gender representation into the nation’s political framework. In 1997, a pivotal year in Kenyan politics, a coalition was formed under the banner of the Civil Society Consortium for Constitutional Reforms (C4C). The time was marked by a powerful call for electoral reforms, yet the promise of ‘no reforms, no elections’ faced stiff resistance. Members of Parliament, alongside civil society leaders, rallied to spearhead change. Among them was Mwai Kibaki, who, along with other key political figures including Raila Odinga, engaged in debates over the future of Kenya's governance. A faction of lawmakers, recognizing the need to hol...

 By Kelvin Malick D uring the ongoing Law Society of Kenya (LSK) annual conference in Mombasa County, President Faith Odhiambo delivered a powerful address emphasizing the crucial need for gender equality in the legal and political spheres.  Odhiambo outlined the progress made by women in various sectors, noting that more women are increasingly establishing themselves as partners in law firms and leading innovative businesses. However, she highlighted the alarming underrepresentation of women in Parliament and the urgent need for systemic change to achieve gender equity in politics. "The current Parliament does not reflect our society’s gender diversity," Odhiambo stated, referencing ongoing discussions surrounding the two-thirds gender rule. "We must advocate for the dissolution of Parliament if it fails to address this glaring imbalance. Women deserve a seat at the table and an equal say in the laws that govern our nation." She raised concerns about historical dec...

 By Kelvin Malick During the recent Women's Breakfast Forum held as part of the LSK Annual Conference 2024, Martha Karua delivered a powerful message about the necessity of challenging ingrained societal norms and fostering inclusivity.  Karua urged attendees to commit to unlearning the patriarchy that many of us grew up with. She emphasized that true self-discovery as a woman involves not only understanding oneself but also extending that understanding and acceptance to others.Karua called for applying a gender lens to all aspects of life, advocating for a perspective that recognizes and addresses gender disparities.  Additionally, she highlighted the importance of considering the viewpoints and experiences of persons with disabilities, underscoring that a truly inclusive society must take into account diverse needs and perspectives. Her remarks were a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the need for good governance, adherence to the rule of...

  The Kenya Education Fund (KEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to fortifying its partnerships with schools by hosting the annual Teacher Conference in Karen. This year's conference assembled 80 teachers from 80 schools nationwide, all pivotal in supporting KEF-sponsored students. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by sponsored students, KEF organized this conference to equip liaison teachers—who serve as the primary contact between KEF and schools—with essential skills and knowledge. The goal was to enhance their ability to support these students effectively while also advancing their own professional development. The conference featured a diverse array of sessions on crucial topics, including Mental Health and Stress Management, Supportive Conversations & Basic Counseling Techniques, Building Blocks of Mentoring, Personal Brand Mastery, Attributes of a Great Mentor, Mentor Psychology—Influence & Inspire, and Demystifying Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Given the ri...

Turkana Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus. Photo: Courtesy Facebook  NAIROBI, 8th August 2025 – Dr. John Eros Lopeok, Deputy Governor of Turkana County, has spent the past three days deeply engaged in a series of activities focused on enhancing service delivery and strengthening citizen capacity in Turkana County. The first of these activities centered around the Council of Governors and the Commission on Revenue Allocation. Together, they discussed the future basis of revenue allocation, a crucial conversation that will shape the formula for equitable revenue sharing across counties. These discussions are set to continue, with the select committee of the Council of Governors expected to present the final proposals at the Hilton Garden Inn on Mombasa Road. The second significant activity was the peer review of twelve counties that volunteered for assessment, which took place yesterday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). In this process, counties subjected themselves...