Parliament Building

April 14, 2008

President Mwai Kibaki on Sunday, April 13, 2008 appointed seven women members of Parliament to the grand coalition cabinet. The highest number of women in the cabinet in Kenya’s history.

In the line up, Hon. Martha Karua, MP for Gichugu retained her Justice and Constitutional affairs ministry which has since changed to Justice, Constitutional affairs and National Cohesion.

Member of Parliament for Kitui Central, Hon. Charity Kaluki Ngilu made a come back as the minister for Water and Irrigation. Hon Ngilu formerly was Minister for Health.

Member of Parliament for Taveta, Hon. Naomi Shabaan retained her Special Programmes Ministry, a position she was appointed to when President Kibaki named a 17-member cabinet early in the year. Former Education assistant minister, Hon Beth Mugo, MP for Dagoreti was named Minister for Public Health and Sanitation.

The President also named Nyeri Town MP, Esther Murugi to join the cabinet. Ms. Murugi who is serving her first term in parliament will be in charge of the Gender and Children affairs portfolio.

A new ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology will be headed by Aldai MP, Dr. Sally Kosgei who is a former head of Public Service. Dr Kosgei is a member of the National Dialogue and Reconciliation team charged with seeking a solution to Kenya’s political impasse since the announcement of the disputed presidential polls. She represents the ODM side.

Also included in the cabinet is Dr. Hellen Sambili as minister for Youth and Sports, Dr. Sambili, member of parliament for Mogotio came into parliament through United Democratic Party, an affiliate of ODM.

More women parliamentarians were also appointed by the president to serve as assistant ministers, they include: Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, the Starehe MP, who was appointed assistant minister in the Ministry of Housing.

Marakwet East MP and former Immigration minister Hon. Linah Jebii Kilimo was named assistant minister for Cooperatives, Sotik MP Ms Lorna Laboso, is the assistant minister in the Office of the Vice President in charge of Home Affairs while Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti is the new assistant minister for Youth and Sports.

Other assistant ministers include Runyenjes MP Ms Cecily Mbarire, assistant minister in the Ministry of Tourism while Ms Elizabeth Ongoro, the Kasarani MP, is assistant minister to the Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development.

During the run-up to the general elections, President Kibaki had pledged that 30 per cent of all public appointments and elective positions will be reserved for women while Prime Minister Raila Odinga had promised 50 per cent if he was to win the presidential elections.