President Ruto establishes minority's and marginalised unit
National
By
James Wanzala
| Dec 20, 2023
President William Ruto has announced plans to establish a minority and marginalised community unit in his office to deal with issues affecting this special interest group.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during the inaugural celebration of International Minorities Rights Day at Bomas of Kenya. Ruto also also announced plans to form a task force.
The Day, which was celebrated yesterday after 31 years since it was declared in 1992 December by United Nations General Assembly, saw 59 communities across the country attend the event.
This year's theme was 'Recognising, Empowering and Protecting the Rights of Minorities and the Marginalized'.
"The task force will undertake policy review of all government policies, programmes, actions and omissions both present and past and advise on how they have affected the minority and marginalised communities and recommend appropriate steps aimed at prospering the promoting and protecting them," said Dr Ruto.
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He added: "It is expected this task force shall come up with various recommendations including the policy, legal and instructional framework necessary to drive the affirmative action programmes targeted at promoting protecting the rights of Minorities and Marginalised Communities."
These recommendations, he said shall form the cornerstone of Kwanza's commitment to legislate an affirmative action framework to implement Article 56 of the Constitution.
According to Dr Ruto, during his tenure as Deputy President, he not only set up a technical department for Minority and Marginalised Communities' Affairs, but also championed the appointment several of their members in his office.
He said in the run-up to the 2022 General Election, the Kenya Kwanza team pledged to address the issues that have plagued minority and marginalised communities comprehensively.
The President said they committed to set up a team that will conclusively look into the issues and recommend the best way of addressing them.
He directed the Ministry of Lands to work closely with the National Land Commission in comprehensively addressing land challenges and issues facing minority and marginalised communities.
Dr Ruto challenged county governments to adhere to the principles of inclusion and integration of minorities and marginalised groups as spelt out in Section 97 of the County Governments Act.
"These principles should be at the front and center of governance in our Counties," said Ruto who also declared the celebration of the Minorities Rights Day an annual event.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the government is committed correct the past wrongs meted on minorities through all necessary legal, policy and administrative institution mechanisms by tapping into every potential of all community and individuals as it strives to build a strong, stable united nation.
"I therefore request our friends; development partners, private sector and all people of goodwill to partner with the government to support the mainstreaming of marginalized and minorities affairs by proving resources and technical assistance so that the marginalised and minorities are also taken care of," he said.