Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Margaret Kobia has paid a visit to one of the trailblazers Muthoni Gachanja Likimani, EBS at her home in Loresho, Nairobi.
This is in the ministry’s Trailblazer Awards and Recognition Programme which seeks to highlight women’s contribution to development through leadership, education and innovation among other fields.
Speaking on Thursday during the home visit to Likimani, a 90-year-old woman, Kobia said the government recognizes her and other women trailblazers who are over 70 years of age and have had immense contribution in Kenya’s political, social, or economic scene.
In particular, Kobia said the trailblazers have excelled in immense constitutional provisions on gender equality, as well as initiatives that have made a difference, especially in reducing gender inequalities and or empowerment of women.
“The objective of this visit is to deliver a goodwill message, articulate the president’s vision for Kenya and the central role of women, as well as appreciating and recognizing their individual contribution,” said Kobia.
The CS who was accompanied by State Department for Gender Chief Administrative Secretary Linah Jebii Kilimo said they shall also invite Muthoni and others to share their stories with Kenyans through written memoirs, and where memoir is present to highlight their stories to Kenyans.
Trailblazer Muthoni Gachanja thanked the government through the Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes for remembering her adding that she has seen a lot happen in the country and encouraged women to continue fighting corruption in the country.
“I rarely walk these days because of my age but I can see and hear what is happening in the country, there is a lot of fighting and we need to end it and fight corruption,” said Muthoni adding that we should mentor other people instead of fighting.
Muthoni who is passionate in women matters has written over 15 books on women, children and human trafficking, encouraged women in the country to take their place and shape the community.
Muthoni said she is among the first three women in Kenya to be sent by colonialists to read and preach the gospel, something that she appreciates.
The Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes has selected some of the trailblazers to visit them in their homes following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive in 2018.
By Catherine Muindi
