President Uhuru Kenyatta has honoured 15 individuals for their steadfast defence of women rights in Kenya.
While unveiling the Margaret Kenyatta Institute for Gender and Social Development at the Kenya School of Government (KSG), on Tuesday, March 8, the Head of State hailed their performance as sterling, as the world marks International Women's Day.
The individuals, which was a mixture of women and a few men, had championed for girls' rights in a wide range of sectors including ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and leading climate change campaign, which is an issue of global concern.
"Let me take this opportunity on behalf of all Kenyans to congratulate you for your sterling performance and the recognition that has been bestowed upon you today by all Kenyans.
"You will remain and continue to function as a guiding light to other girls to show that it is possible to lead from the front," stated the Head of State.
Among those honoured are Mercy Muregu, a journalist working in Uasin Gishu. She was given the Peace Security award.
Wego Asedi was presented with the Women in Leadership and Decision-Making award for mentoring young girls in Baringo while Christine Sammy won in the Reproductive Health category.
Ramin Paulette, a Kisumu environmentalist won the Climate award while Lydia Muriuki was presented with an award for spearheading public interest litigation. Muriuki fought to ensure that P3 forms were distributed for free and she succeeded.
Under special categories, the Joyce Laboso award went to Diana Kamande for championing the plight of widows while the Mariam El Maawy award was given to Salim Sonye.
Sonye, an engineer by profession, works with girls in the competitive field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The Anti-FGM Lifetime award went to Agnes Pareyio while the service award was given to Ademola Olajide, the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Representative for Kenya.
The Head of State also commended women working in the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) who are pushing for public service reforms in the sector.
They are Superintendent Asha Siomei from Kitale Prison, Superintendent Margaret Waithera from Kisii, Marianne Wanjiru (Thika) and Chief Inspector Nancy Chepkonga of Lodwar Women Prisons.
Inspector Jemutai from Kapenguria and former convicted offender Teresia Njoroge from Lang'ata Women.
