President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to actively support women’s empowerment, emphasizing that inclusive development cannot be achieved without the full participation of women and girls.

Speaking in a video message on Saturday, March 8, to mark International Women’s Day, Ruto highlighted the need for a collective effort to break barriers and create opportunities for women across different sectors.

“We remain resolute in our quest to break barriers, expand opportunities, and foster an environment where every woman and girl thrives, leads, and realizes their full potential,” he said. 

Ruto noted that women play a critical role in leadership, business, and innovation, making their empowerment essential for Kenya’s progress. He reassured the public that his administration remains committed to fostering gender equality, not just as a matter of justice, but as a strategy for national growth and prosperity.

However, his call for inclusivity comes amid criticism of gender imbalance in his own government. Out of 22 Cabinet secretaries, only seven are women, falling short of the 50% gender parity that was initially promised.

Despite this, the president insisted that his administration is committed to increasing women’s representation in leadership and decision-making roles.