Gender CS Aisha Jumwa on Tuesday led the Multi-Sectoral Working Group on the Two-Thirds Gender Principle Raila Odinga’s office to brief him on the progress so far.
The meeting confirms Odinga’s new-found camaraderie with President William Ruto who accompanied him to Uganda on Monday to lobby Yoweri Museveni’s support for the Azimio leader’s candidature for his African Union Commission Chairmanship bid.
“There was consensus that enhanced collaborative efforts are essential for fully realizing its implementation as intended,” Odinga said after the meeting with Jumwa and her team.
The timing of the meeting has sparked political speculation, reminiscent of the days when former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Cabinet Secretaries would meet Odinga to discuss government agendas and development projects.
And speaking in Homa Bay on Tuesday, President Ruto defended his support to Odinga for the AU job saying, “I told Kenya is big and there is enough for everyone. You don’t win by making others lose.”
The handshake deal between Kenyatta and Odinga in 2018 paved the way for Odinga’s involvement in the affairs of the ruling government, easing tensions following contentious elections.
CS Jumwa expressed gratitude to Odinga, who is being considered for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), for taking the time to meet with her and members of the multi-sectoral working group.
“Consultations cannot be complete without the insights of leaders, including the ODM leader, and that is why the team and I met Raila Odinga,” she emphasized.
In December 2022, President Ruto submitted a memorandum to Parliament urging a constitutional amendment to enact the not more than 2/3 gender principle, leading to the establishment of the Multi-Sectoral Working Group.
