Dr Margaret Karungaru Officially Joins National Gender And Equality Commission (NGEC)
Dr Margaret Karungaru taking Oath of office
By Our Reporter
Worth Noting:
- “His Excellency the President, in exercise of the powers conferred on him, has nominated Dr. Margaret Karungaru for appointment as a member of the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC),” National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula noted as he read Ruto’s message to the House.
- After the nomination, Dr Karungaru who is a widow of the first Nyeri Governor, the late Nderitu Gachagua was subjected to a vetting process by the Departmental Committee on Social Protection which is chaired by Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a.
- During the exercise, she aptly outlined her understanding of the mandate of the National Gender and Equality Commission and its key roles as enshrined in the constitution.
The Pioneer Nyeri County First Lady Dr Margaret Karungaru Nderitu has formally joined the National Gender and Equality Commission.
This is after she was sworn in last week during a ceremony that was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The colourful event, attended by Dr Karungaru, NGEC senior officials, some family members as well as relatives and friends took place at The Supreme Court premises.
After taking oath of office, the Chief Justice and other speakers called on Dr Karungaru to serve the nation in her new role with all her capabilities.
On her part, she thanked The Presidency for believing in her ability and promised to dedicate her energy in the new role that she has been granted.
Dr Karungaru was nominated to take over the Commissioner’s position by President William Ruto after she emerged the best among scores of women who had applied for the position.
The Head of State made the announcement on March 15 via a message to Parliament.
“His Excellency the President, in exercise of the powers conferred on him, has nominated Dr. Margaret Karungaru for appointment as a member of the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC),” National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula noted as he read Ruto’s message to the House.
After the nomination, Dr Karungaru who is a widow of the first Nyeri Governor, the late Nderitu Gachagua was subjected to a vetting process by the Departmental Committee on Social Protection which is chaired by Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a.
During the exercise, she aptly outlined her understanding of the mandate of the National Gender and Equality Commission and its key roles as enshrined in the constitution.
Dr. Karungaru expressed her passion for Social Work in the community and informed the committee of her experience in the teaching fraternity, where she served as a headteacher in a girls’ high school in her early 30s.
She also recounted to the committee of her vast experience in Social Work in Nyeri County and said she had already identified some of the areas she wished to focus on such as issues of People with Disabilities (PWDs) and implementation of related policies where she noted that there are many buildings that have no access for PWDs.
She also pointed out issues of reproductive health and young mothers undergoing caeserian section at the time of delivery which need to be addressed adding that she would commit to work on a policy paper as part of her advisory task.
She also emphasised on the need for NGEC to play a strong advisory role, facilitation and regulation in those issues.
Dr. Karungaru told the committee that she would propose for the creation of awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagements to address various issues affecting different communities and areas to help reduce cases of FGM, property inheritance challenges-especially for women, gender violence and challenges facing the disabled.
The National Gender and Equality Commission is in charge of promoting gender equality and freedom from discrimination, monitors compliance with the principle of gender equality in all spheres of life, and participates in the development of policies and programmes that promote gender equality and freedom from discrimination.
The National Gender and Equality Commission Act of 2011 also mandates the commission to receive and investigate complaints of gender discrimination and make recommendations to the relevant authorities.
Following the swearing in, Dr Karungaru joins other commissioners; Muriithi J. Chomba Munyi, Thomas Okoth Koyier, Caroline Naikena Lentupuru and chairperson Joyce Mwikali Mutinda.
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