Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya receives the Gender Mainstreaming Award presented by Major General Joyce Sitienei that was won by the Ministry of Defence at the 2025 Usawa Awards. July 11, 2025/HANDOUT
The Usawa Awards were organized by the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) to recognize efforts in promoting gender equality in public and private institutions.
Major General Joyce Sitienei presented the award to Tuya. She had represented the Cabinet Tuya at the Usawa awards ceremony.
The Ministry of Defence was recognized for leading by example in gender reforms within the security sector.
In a speech delivered during the event, CS Tuya noted that the Ministry had made strong progress in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment across its departments, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
“The matter of gender equality and women empowerment has been progressively institutionalized and internalized by the Ministry of Defence (MOD,” Tuya said.
She highlighted the Ministry’s 2017 Gender Policy, which provided a roadmap for mainstreaming gender and promoting women in leadership roles within the military.
“This policy gives us tools to institutionalize gender equality and support more women in decision-making positions,” Tuya said.
"This Is a rare step among African militaries and a sign of progress."
She also noted that the KDF recently adopted a new policy to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment known as the PSEAH Policy.
CS Tuya pointed out several milestones achieved under the Ministry’s gender policy.
These include the historic promotion of Fatumah Ahmed in 2018 as Kenya’s first female Major General and Airforce Commander.
She also celebrated the promotion of Maj Gen Joyce Sitienei, now serving as Deputy Vice Chancellor at NDU-K.
The Usawa Awards ceremony also marked the launch of NGEC’s new strategic plan.
The event was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Gender,
Culture, The Arts and Heritage Hanna Cheptumo and Principal Secretary for
Culture and Heritage, Ummi Bashir.
