Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has directed agencies under his ministry to do away with hurdles that prevent women from rising to top leadership positions so as to encourage their empowerment.
Murkomen said it was a shame that women representation in the decision-making tables in the construction industry was just three per cent, despite the gender-rule that requires not more than two-thirds of one gender at the top.
The CS said he was embarrassed to find out that all the senior positions in his ministry were held by men.
“We can’t pretend to build the country when over 50 per cent of our population has three per cent representation in the sector. It is a shame,” Murkomen said.
He was speaking at the Barabara Plaza in Nairobi when he opened the inaugural women in construction forum.
The forum’s theme was ‘female led, female build, female powered.’ It brought together women developers, contractors and all associates in the construction sector with the aim of promoting, recognizing and advancing their role in the industry.
Murkomen said the government recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. He said the increased representation of women is seen to greatly benefit the industry and the economy at large.
“We are committed to working with men and women in both private and public sectors to attain gender equity in the workplace, promote women empowerment and their involvement in driving up the economy,” he said.
He directed all agencies under his ministry including the Kenya Roads Board, Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Kenya Rural Roads Authority to ensure they have more women at the top.
He said it was unfair that despite the gender requirement, some agencies still had nearly all top positions occupied by men.He cited Kerra where out of 47 regional managers, only two are women.
“I have told Kerra board that in the next three years, the number of women must go beyond 10,” Murkomen said.
The CS said there is immense contribution of women as they have injected their expertise, experience and technical knowhow in the various disciplines in the sector.
He gave the example of the Expressway in Nairobi whose construction was supervised by a woman.
Murkomen said hurdles such as sexual harassment must be eradicated to allow women scale the leadership ladder.
The CS has at the same time said women must be provided with areas where they can breastfeed their children while at work.
“Some government institutions such as the National Construction Authority have, in line with global best practices and relevant legislation, established mothers’ rooms within their premises to provide a private, hygienic and fully-equipped space for lactating mothers to breastfeed their children,” Murkomen said.
By Emodia Hallan