President Uhuru Kenyatta has subtly endorsed Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition presidential candidate Martha Karua, as he underscored the importance of having women in the country’s key leadership positions in the country.


The president said this while addressing Kenyans during the 59th Madaraka Day celebration held at the Uhuru Gardens and said he was proud of the steps his administration has taken to foster inclusivity and gender parity.


“In our efforts to foster inclusivity and gender parity, the one thing I am proud of is how we have built women's leadership and expanded their fields of participation in governance,” Uhuru said.

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Uhuru who happens to be the Azimio coalition’s patron in his speech rooted for his team by challenging Kenyans to break the glass ceiling and elect a faction that will see a woman assume the office of the deputy president of the country.


“In August this year, if it is the wish of the electorate, we have a chance of a woman shattering the glass ceiling by assuming the second-highest office in our Republic, the Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” Uhuru said.

Uhuru emphasises the need for the people of Kenya to push for leadership in the republic as a duty we the country owe women and themselves.

“If our women were part of the liberation struggle, advancing their course intentionally is a duty we owe them and ourselves as a country. And I am, indeed, proud to have been part of this push for women's leadership in our Republic,” the president said.


The Head of State also highlighted some of the high-profile woman appointments that have bedecked his tenure, including cabinet appointments, judicial appointments, military appointments as well as institutional appointments.

“Of equal note, My Administration has fast-tracked the promotion of women to leadership in our security sector.  I appointed Fatuma Ahmed as the first woman Major-General of our Defence Forces in 2018.  Similarly, the first holder of the constitutional office of the Auditor-General of our Republic was appointed under My Administration. Mrs. Nancy Gathungu, appointed in 2021, continues to serve the Republic in that capacity,” Uhuru said.


“And of course, one of the three arms of government is now headed by a woman.  After 58 years of independence, in May 2021, I had the profound honour of being the first President of the Republic to commence an address with the salutation “Madam Chief Justice”, when the Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome assumed office as the first woman Chief Justice.”


He also expressed his pride in the fact that Kenya’s Judiciary boasts a female Deputy Chief Justice, a female Chief Registrar, and many female Principal Judges and Presiding Judges across our Superior Courts.