Principal Secretary Ann Wang'ombe's blueprint for a more equitable society
Anne Wang'ombe, the PS in the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action during an interview at her office in Teleposta Towers, Nairobi, on November 5, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Principal Secretary Ann Wang'ombe is leading Kenya's fight against gender inequality through targeted interventions.
- By engaging community elders, religious institutions, and government agencies, she's creating a broad coalition to tackle deep-rooted cultural practices.
- Despite challenges including economic dependencies and legal hurdles, she remains determined to increase women's political representation.
As our early morning interview begins with Principal Secretary (PS) for Gender and Affirmative Action Anne Wang’ombe, she glances at the clock, expressing relief at having made it to our appointment on time. Just moments earlier, she had emerged from another critical meeting with senior government officials – one of countless sessions in her ministry's relentless drive to address Kenya's complex web of gender issues.
Anne begins our conversation by navigating the intricate subject that combines the biological realities of men and women with socially constructed roles that often determine their fates. She starts by recounting a case that has recently captured her attention.
"There's a woman in a village in Meru County," she explains. "She was physically abused by her husband and when she reported the matter to the local administration, she was shockingly ordered to slaughter a goat for her husband as an apology for 'making him angry, leading to her being battered'."
The injustice doesn't end there. Upon returning home after fleeing the violence, the woman discovered her only cow – purchased through hard-earned savings from a community table banking initiative – had been sold off by her husband, who pocketed all the proceeds.
"These are some of the cases that my office deals with on a day-to-day basis," Anne says. "Both men and women face gender issues in society, and we strive to create fairness for all."
Personal mission amid institutional challenges
As she speaks, it becomes clear that Anne's approach to her role transcends mere bureaucratic duty. She singles out specific cases from the most remote corners of Kenya – individuals whose stories have touched her personally and whose justice she is determined to see through.
The gender docket has long been weighed down by persistent challenges: femicide, gender-based violence (GBV), and glaring inequalities in access to opportunities. The absence of a Cabinet secretary for the past six months has only compounded these difficulties, creating a leadership vacuum in this critical ministry.
Yet Anne dismisses concerns about operational challenges. "The ministry is running steadily," she asserts. "All hands are on the deck with efforts to address the wave of femicide and other ills well on course."
She details an intensive program launched in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education. The initiative targets universities and colleges across Kenya, responding to a disturbing trend of passion murders predominantly targeting young women.
"We aim to empower students, particularly young men, on issues such as emotional intelligence, anger management and how to navigate relationships," Anne explains. "This is a way of ensuring these young people in colleges know how to deal with challenges in their relationships, such as rejection and lack of finances. We want to ensure that they handle these cases without feeling the urge to resort to violence or contemplate suicide."
Fight against FGM
As our conversation shifts to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Anne notes that this battle represents one of her department's major breakthroughs, yet victory remains elusive as the practice adapts to modern times.
"Just when the end of the war was in sight, new trends such as medicalised FGM rear their ugly head," she explains. "There are clinics carrying out technologically-enhanced FGM, and we're working with the Ministry of Health to ensure these illegal clinics are closed, to save women."
The challenge is compounded by what Anne describes as a "cultural renaissance" – movements led by traditionalists seeking to revive ancestral practices, harmful elements included.
"We have come to understand that we cannot win this battle alone; the involvement of community elders is absolutely crucial," she says.
"Recently, the Njuri Ncheke elders took a powerful stand by signing a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to end FGM in their community. This agreement marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect women and girls from this harmful practice."
She details collaborative efforts with elders from diverse communities and religious institutions like the Catholic Church, which has provided shelters and support for FGM victims.
"Communities such as those in Bungoma, Sabaot, Mt Elgon, Njuri Ncheke, and Elgeyo Marakwet have made public commitments to fight against FGM, taking a stand for the well-being of women and girls within their regions," she says.
"We have also engaged with elders from Migori. Although they haven't signed the declaration yet, they have expressed their willingness to support the campaign. Their readiness to join the fight is a hopeful sign of the expanding commitment across the country."
Her message emphasises the power of collective action in breaking cultural barriers. By collaborating with traditional leaders, religious institutions, and communities, they are building a broad coalition united against harmful practices, creating a culture of support for the protection of women and girls.
Addressing root causes and misconceptions
Anne identifies a fundamental obstacle in the fight against FGM: widespread ignorance about the practice's historical context.
"Many people do not fully grasp the historical reasons behind FGM, which contributes to its continued existence," she explains. "However, women don't need to go through this practice — it is outdated and extremely harmful to their health."
She stresses that while cultural traditions are important, the health and well-being of women and girls should never be compromised. The harmful effects of FGM, both physically and psychologically, must be recognised, and society must move toward safer, healthier alternatives.
Anne is quick to emphasise that her department's focus extends beyond girls' welfare.
"We have also been pushing for safe and hygienic circumcision practices for boys," she adds. "There are communities where boys are subjected to painful circumcision processes that are not only unnecessarily painful but also unsafe. These procedures often take place in unhygienic conditions, with no proper medical oversight, which puts the health of these boys at significant risk."
Her call for modernisation comes with practical solutions.
"It's time we embrace technology and adopt proper medical procedures to ensure the safety of the child during circumcision," she urges. "We should involve trained medical professionals to oversee these procedures to minimise the risk of infections and long-term health complications."
Anne emphasises the critical importance of making these practices safer for both boys and girls. Her goal is to find a way to preserve and honour cultural traditions while ensuring the health, safety, and rights of children. By modernising these practices, we can protect the well-being of future generations while still respecting the cultural significance of such rites.
Systemic barriers and progress in political representation
Anne delves into the economic and institutional barriers hampering the fight against GBV.
"Economic overdependence of women on men often traps them in abusive environments," she explains. "They are unable to leave due to their reliance on their partners for financial support. This can lead to continued harm or even death."
The legal system itself presents formidable obstacles for survivors seeking justice.
"Proving a GBV case beyond a reasonable doubt is very difficult," Anne says. "This includes the need for very costly medical examinations that can take extended periods."
Furthermore, she highlights that the current legal framework has ambiguous procedures for assisting victims in accessing justice. These procedural hurdles often discourage victims from pursuing their cases, leaving many without the support they need to escape abusive situations and hold perpetrators accountable.
She notes some recent improvements: "Having a special desk to handle GBV cases, through the DCI office, has been helpful in seeking justice."
Anne is quick to dispel common misconceptions about her department's mission.
"Gender issues affect both men and women, so the office addresses both," she emphasises.
Pride enters her voice as our conversation turns to women's political representation.
"We now have 102 women currently serving in the Senate and National Assembly," she notes. "This is a stark contrast to 1992 when only six women were represented in the National Assembly."
Despite this progress, the constitutionally mandated one-third gender rule remains unfulfilled across three parliamentary terms. Anne expresses confidence in President William Ruto's commitment to gender parity, though she tacitly acknowledges that his pre-election pledge of 50/50 gender representation in government remains unfulfilled.
Personal reflections and a call to action
As our interview continues, Anne's tone becomes more reflective. "It's natural to dream and aspire to be in a position of influence," she says. "I have prayed and worked hard to reach this point, and I've come to realise that sometimes, life gives you exactly what you ask for. So, be careful what you wish for."
She shares how her own journey took unexpected turns.
"I ended up becoming a teacher," she recalls. "And though my path wasn't what I initially envisioned, it was through teaching that I was able to impact many lives and contribute meaningfully to my community."
As our conversation draws to a close, Anne offers a powerful call to action for women across Kenya, urging them to take more proactive roles in shaping their futures through business and political leadership.
She emphasises that women's empowerment is not only important but essential in all areas including political, social, and economic. She believes that a society truly thrives when women are equally represented and empowered to contribute at every level.
"If anyone asks why there are fewer women in leadership positions, tell them that sometimes what holds women back is not their capability, but a lack of confidence and the belief in their potential," she says.
"It's this absence of self-confidence, combined with the fear of failure that often keeps us from leaping to success."
She observes a distinct gender difference in approaches to risk and opportunity.
"When women decide to start a business, they tend to be more cautious, more thoughtful in their decisions. They weigh their options carefully, thinking twice before taking any risks," she notes.
"In contrast, men are more inclined to take risks, and that's one of the reasons why they tend to see more success in these fields. They often embrace uncertainty and go after opportunities with less hesitation."
Anne's parting message resonates with clarity and purpose. Women must break through internal and external barriers by embracing their worth and trusting their abilities. They must foster self-confidence, take calculated risks, and step beyond comfort zones. Only then, she believes, can they fully unleash their potential and pave the way for future generations of Kenyan women to follow in their footsteps.