Former Nairobi Woman Representative Rachel Shebesh is among several other big names in line to land a plum job in government.
Shebesh, who recently resurfaced on social media at a women in politics panel hosted by former news anchor Janet Mbugua, has been shortlisted among 15 other candidates to potentially join the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) as a member.
For Shebesh, becoming a member of the NGEC offers her another chance to fight for the rights of women after her latest stint as the Gender Chief Administrative Secretary panelist
Shebesh is set to face the selection panel on October 17 alongside Salome Aluoch Owuonda (Migori), Margaret Lyasi Lesuuda (Laikipia), Juliet Wanjiku Murimi (Kiambu), and Harun Maalim Hassan (Mandera). The former woman rep is the only candidate who hails from Nairobi.
Also competing with Shebesh for the position is former Busia woman representative Florence Mutua, who won the seat in 2013 before retaining it four years later, in 2017.
On October 16, other candidates including Evans Toto Nyachieng’a (Kisii), Morris Kiwinda Mbondenyi (Taita Taveta), Michael Mbithuka Nzomo (Machakos), Rael Chebichii Lelei (Uasin Gishu), Margaret Kamonya Emonde (Vihiga), and Barako Elema Qatamur (Marsabit) will undergo the grueling interview process.
According to the selection panel, “The shortlisted applicants will be interviewed at the 11th Floor Boardroom, Harambee House, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi, on the date and time indicated in the schedule. Shortlisted applicants should report at the venue at least thirty minutes before the scheduled time."
Chairperson position: Linah Jebii Kilimo, who defied the odds to win the Marakwet East parliamentary seat during the Mwai Kibaki era in 2002, has been shortlisted for the chairperson of the NGEC by Florence Nyole (Arch.), the Chairperson of the Selection Panel.
Jebii will battle for the seat with nine other candidates, although she is arguably the candidate who stands the best chance of becoming NGEC's next chairperson thanks to her wealth of experience in leadership positions.
A former Cabinet Minister, Jebii's most recent work was as a board member at ChildFund International. In 2013, she was appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta as chair of the newly formed Anti-Female Genital Board.
Former Isiolo Women Representative Rehema Dida Jaldesa, ex-Makueni deputy governor Adelina Mwau, and former nominated senator Mary Yiane Seneta, will compete with Jebii for the chairperson position.
One way members of the public can participate in the hiring process is by availing information relating to any of the shortlisted applicants through sworn affidavits to the Chairperson of the NGEC Selection Panel via the email selectionpanelngec2024@psyg.go.ke.
The NGEC was among four different government agencies President William Ruto urged Kenyans to apply for jobs on August 29. Other agencies that were hiring included the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ).
