CS Askul rallies girls to defy cultural barriers through education

CS Beatrice Askul holding the award she received during the Thamani Africa Awards ceremony in Nairobi

Cabinet Minister Beatrice Askul has intensified efforts to promote women and youth empowerment, saying the two groups remain central to poverty alleviation and economic transformation in marginalised communities.

Askul said empowering women and youth aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which is being championed by President William Ruto. BETA seeks to improve livelihoods at the grassroots level.

Askul, who is the CS for East Africa Community and ASALs, challenged girls in Turkana and other marginalised counties to overcome cultural barriers that hinder education and personal growth.

“Through education, the girl child in Turkana and other counties will have the capacity to tap into available opportunities for self and community empowerment,” Askul said.

She spoke during a youth and women economic empowerment drive at Nagis area in Turkwel ward, Loima constituency in Turkana county.

She was hosted by area MP Protus Akujah and other local leaders. Only two weeks ago, the CS received the Best Performing Minister – Africa Category award during this year’s Thamani Africa Awards, which was held in Nairobi.

Askul pledged to work with leaders to improve access to education, particularly for girls in underserved regions.

Residents and leaders from Turkana hailed her continental recognition, describing it as a milestone for the region and an inspiration to young girls.

During the Nairobi awards ceremony attended by South Sudan Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng and Kenya's Permanent Representative to UNEP Ida Odinga, Askul said the award symbolised the transformative role women continue to play across Africa.

“As the first woman Cabinet Secretary from the Turkana community, this recognition is also an encouragement to the Turkana girl child that with focus and determination, success is possible despite daily hardships,” she said.

Leaders, including Turkana Senator James Lomenen and several MPs praised Askul for what they termed her commitment to community empowerment and regional development.

Instant analysis

Beatrice Askul Moe is increasingly positioning herself as both a national government mobiliser and a regional political voice for Turkana. By linking women and youth empowerment to President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up agenda, her messaging aligns closely with the administration’s grassroots economic narrative ahead of the 2027 political cycle. Her emphasis on education for the girl child also taps into long-standing concerns over marginalisation in northern Kenya. The continental award boosts her visibility beyond Turkana and strengthens her profile within government ranks, where performance, public visibility and political mobilisation are becoming increasingly important.CS Beatrice Askul (c) during the Thamani Africa Awards ceremony in Nairobi

CS Beatrice Askul with Ida Odinga  during the Thamani Africa Awards ceremony in Nairobi