President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday announced that the government had started the process of setting aside a day to recognise women who have made great contributions to the country.
He was speaking at the memorial service for the former Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson, the Late Jane Kiano at the ACK St. Francis Church.
“I think a time has come and we have started that process of recognising these women who have made great contributions to this country,” announced Uhuru.
He added that, “We will push it and enhance it and make a day when Kenyans remember the women who we have produced and have gone on to make a difference in Kenya.”
He noted that the government need not wait until heroes die in order to celebrate their lives.
“Not Just waiting until they pass on and then we come and say what a wonderful person so-and-so was,” he regretted.
One of the greatest women in Kenya, Wangari Maathai won the Nobel peace prize in 2004 for her efforts in promoting environmental conservation.
Other women who have made notable strides include Tegla Loroupe who was the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon and Catherine Ndereba who was described by a Chicago Tribune sportswriter as the greatest women’s marathoner of all time.
Women who have made noteworthy achievements in politics include Anne Waiguru, Joyce Laboso and Charity Ngilu who became the first female governors in Kenya.
Phoebe Asiyo, one of the longest-serving women in Parliament was the first leader to propose affirmative action legislation in 1997. This proposal was later incorporated in the 2010 constitution, giving birth to the position of Woman Representative in the National Assembly.
