- Azimio noted that only 13 per cent of the Permanent Secretaries in government are women.
- 31 per cent of the Cabinet consists of women falling short of the promised 50 percent.
Image: KEITH MUSEKE
The Azimio la Umoja Coalition in their memorandum to the National Dialogue Committee, has highlighted how the Kenya Kwanza government can improve in terms of governance and inclusivity.
The memorandum was presented to the NADCO committee at the Bomas of Kenya on Tuesday during the last day of the public hearings.
According to the memorandum by Azimio, the ruling regime has failed the test of ethnic diversity and regional balance as required by the Constitution in Public and State Appointments.
Azimio faulted President William Ruto for not fulfilling his campaign promise on the inclusion of women in appointive leadership positions.
"The gender question has not been addressed sufficiently despite a campaign promise that Ruto made to appoint 50 per cent of women into his Cabinet," the coalition said.
Azimio noted that only 13 per cent of the Permanent Secretaries in government are women and on the other side, just 31 per cent of the Cabinet consists of women falling short of the promised 50 per cent.
"Most of the public appointments have been based on political and tribal considerations and not merit-based," Azimio said.
An analysis of the PS appointments, Azimio said, indicates that the Central and Rift Valley regions have 26 slots out of the 51 slots, (13 slots each from the two regions).
"This ideally means that the other 43 tribes are left in the scramble for the remaining half of the lot," they said.
To tame the issue, Azimio recommended that public institutions at national and county levels should sign a legally enforceable social inclusion commitment and diversity and equity code to foster national unity.
Additionally, Azimio said there is a need to conduct a comprehensive national and county audit of all the public service and state organs to establish the state of implementation and compliance with the national values and principles of governance, leadership, and public service.
Azimio also called for the establishment 0f clear inter-government relations guidelines to be developed which will define an enabling functional relationship between the Public Service Commission and the Country Public Service Boards in the management of the national civil service.
The inter-government relations guidelines will also include the application of the values and principles of public service.
Further, Azimio faulted the Kenya Kwanza regime for poor governance by dropping high-profile corruption cases.
"Right from when William Ruto named his Cabinet, there has been a consistent and deliberate pattern to coerce the Director of Public Prosecutions to drop corruption cases of the notable appointees of the Kenya Kwanza Government," Azimio said in their memo.
Azimio further claimed the ruling regime has contempt for ethics. The coalition said Kenya Kwanza's contempt for ethics was evident recently when Ruto issued pardons without following due process.
Azimio said Ruto issued pardons without taking into consideration the criteria set out under the Power of Mercy Act.
The coalition also claimed Kenya Kwanza interfered with judicial processes by threatening judges and the judiciary.
They said interference with the judiciary led to subversion of the course of justice.
Kenya Kwanza was also faulted for undermining the Senate when it came to the Finance Act 2023.
"The KK regime through the National Assembly proceeded to solely pass the Finance Act, 2023 without a single reference to the Senate despite the protestations from the Azimio Legislators," Azimio said.
Azimio urged the ruling government to respect the rule of law.