Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida has thanked Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for appointing her to a government job.

Murkomen in a Gazette notice dated November 22, 2024, appointed Akida alongside four-time Boston Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba as members to the Gender Protection and Implementation Committee.

Akida in a statement shared via her official social media accounts on Sunday, November 24, 2024, stated that she would ensure synergies across the board and chart a transformative path that delivers equality.

She also thanked Kilifi North Member of Parliament (MP) Owen Baya for the appointment and expressed gratitude to Kenyans for their congratulatory messages.

“Thank you CS @kipmurkomen for appointing me to the Ministry’s Gender Protection and Implementation Advisory Board. Mine is to ensure synergies across the board and chart a transformative path that delivers equality. Thank you too to my MP Owen Baya CBS, the people of Kilifi, my football family and every Kenyan for your congratulatory messages. Kazi ianze,” she stated.

Thank you CS @kipmurkomen for appointing me to the Ministry’s Gender Protection and Implementation Advisory Board. Mine is to ensure synergies across the board and chart a transformative path that delivers equality.
Thank you too to my MP Owen Baya CBS, the people of Kilifi … pic.twitter.com/o5GYHiE6PJ

— Esse Akida (@akida_14) November 24, 2024

Akida’s career

Akida is one of Kenya’s most widely travelled women footballers, having plied her trade in Israel (Ramat HaSharon), Turkey (Besiktas) and Greece (PAOK).

She recently released her memoir, Chained, in which she recounts her rise above cultural barriers and adversities to playing football at the highest level.

Role of committee

Other members of the committee include Prof Paul Ochieng’, Barbara Malowa, Benjamin Wafula, Elizabeth Wangeci and Joyce Kebenei.

According to the notice in the Kenya Gazette, the seven-member committee will be tasked with the full implementation of a report by the Gender Welfare and Equity in Sports Commission.

The commission was formed in 2022 by then Sports CS Amina Mohamed.

“The functions of the steering committee are to facilitate development, and implementation as well as review of gender and gender-based violence policies; develop a framework for multiagency approach in dealing with GBV in sports; advocate for gender mainstreaming in sports and sports organisations; and provide a safe environment for sports personnel in their participation in sports activities,” the gazette notice reads.

Moreover, the committee will be expected to assess the effectiveness of gender-related initiatives, organize awareness campaigns on gender-related issues and unconscious bias in sports, among other functions.