Give Gen Z the Gender CS docket, Alice Wahome tells Ruto

Pressure is mounting on President William Ruto to fill the vacant position of Gender Cabinet Secretary, which has remained unoccupied since the Cabinet's dissolution in July 2024. The latest voice to join the ongoing debate is Lands Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alice Wahome, who on Thursday called for the appointment of a female candidate to the position.

Wahome's statement aligns with President Ruto's earlier promises to increase women's representation in his administration. The vacancy has sparked significant discussion among Kenyans, highlighting the growing public interest in the appointment of this key cabinet position.

During the ground-breaking ceremony of the South B modern market in Nairobi, CS Wahome suggested that President Ruto should consider appointing a member of Generation Z to the position.

"We are still pushing the President to appoint a woman into that remaining position so that we can achieve the constitutional threshold. If possible, he should appoint a younger woman," Wahome stated.

The CS also took issue with politicians, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, for diminishing women's roles in government by referring to them as "flower girls."

Respect

"'Flower girls' is not an appropriate term. You hear that we have been called flower girls—let's have respect. I don't have any problem with the former deputy president, and I respect him because he is the former deputy president, but he should recognize that there are women and men in the cabinet, not flower girls."

The CS also refuted Gachagua's recent allegations that the housing program was being used as a vehicle for corruption, supposedly benefiting select individuals within the government.

First market in South B

She highlighted the Sh332 million South B modern market ground-breaking as evidence of the government's commitment to delivering on its promises to the public. The facility will be one of ten new modern markets planned for construction across Nairobi County under the Kenya Kwanza government.

This development resolves a long-standing dispute between residents and a private developer who had illegally acquired the land. For the community, the project represents their first local market, eliminating the need for traders to risk their safety by selling goods on the streets.

Wahome assured residents that her ministry would safeguard the project from interference and pledged to reclaim other public lands from illegal occupants.

"I have reviewed all documentation, including those from the county government, and confirmed this plot was designated for market use—that's why I'm here today. This project will be completed within one year," she stated.

South C Member of County Assembly (MCA) Waithera Chege, who had been advocating for the land alongside residents, noted that it would bring organisation to the area and create employment opportunities.

"This is a momentous day for South B residents. There have been doubting Thomases who said this market would not be constructed. I'm particularly pleased that the design includes a lactation room," said Waithera.

The MCA explained that the three-storey facility will feature meeting rooms and adequate parking space.

Starehe Member of Parliament Amos Mwago urged the government to prioritise local youth and women for construction jobs and called for transparency in the allocation of shop spaces upon completion.

"We will not accept people from other areas being brought here when they didn't participate in the fight for this market. We won't allow that," Mwago declared.

Court case

The construction is proceeding despite an ongoing court case filed by Kiambu Town MP Waithaka John Machua contesting the land's ownership. Machua claims the property belongs to his family; however, a Nairobi County Assembly report reveals that an investigation by the Urban Planning Committee found evidence of document tampering to alter ownership records.

"The County executive should revoke any title deeds or leases held by private individuals, immediately repossess the grabbed land meant for a market in South B plot 209/12621, and begin processing the paperwork to ensure that the land is registered as public property," the report states.