Women in leadership: CS Kobia faults ejection from top posts

The Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Prof Margaret Kobia. She said on September 19, 2018, that strong women are feared.

PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Due process must be removed before removing any one from office.
  • Women in leadership roles are more vulnerable to attacks.

  • Kenyans should give equal opportunities to both genders to raise to top levels.

Strong women are feared in Kenya, that is why they are fought and ejected from their leadership positions, Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia says.

Citing an example of embattled Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi, the CS said due process was not followed in ‘ejecting’ her.

“In our view we feel anybody who is to be removed out of their office, due process must be followed. A group of people cannot just come in the office and say you should go out,” Prof Kobia said. 

Speaking during the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) 6th annual Women in Leadership conference at the Sarova Whitesands in Mombasa, she said women in leadership roles are more vulnerable to attacks.

“It is a bit disturbing the way the Nairobi Speaker was removed; due process was not followed; the agenda of the day was not to deal with the Speaker. She allowed the meeting to take place but they decided to remove her,” the CS said.

Prof Kobia however issued a stern warning to county governments saying they should adhere to the public service process in removing any leader from office, including giving them an opportunity to be heard and reasons they must vacate office.

“We feel women are more vulnerable and sometimes people can look at areas where maybe they think strong women need to be removed out of positions not because they have done anything wrong. But because their leadership is not easily accepted,” added the CS.

She said women are not against Ms Elachi  and hoped the court will deal with the matter and justice served.

On September 6, Nairobi County MCAs unanimously impeached Ms Elachi, whom they accused of abuse of office and sabotage of assembly operations.

However, that evening, Ms Elachi’s lawyer rushed to the Labour court and obtained temporary orders suspending her impeachment.

Prof Kobia said Kenya is ready for women leadership while warning against discrimination.

The CS however said that women still struggle for leadership positions as she urged Kenyans to give equal opportunities to both genders to raise to top levels.