Wetang’ula calls for women empowerment
By Faith Lagat, July 6, 2025National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula led a Women Empowerment Programme at Jomo Kenyatta Primary School in Msambweni, Kwale County, calling for greater inclusivity of women in Kenya’s development agenda.
Joined by a delegation of lawmakers including Hon. Silvanus Osoro, Hon. Mishi Mboko, Hon. Naomi Waqo, and Hon. Fatuma Masito, Wetang’ula emphasised the power of women to transform communities.
“Empowering women is not just a goal—it’s a commitment to unlocking the full potential of our communities,” he told the crowd, largely composed of women holding signs like “Masito & Ruto tutam,” on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
The event served as both a grassroots mobilisation drive and a signal of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s intent to strengthen its presence in coastal counties, where it faced stiff resistance during the 2022 elections.
Wetang’ula’s message aligned with national and global priorities around gender equity, echoing recent UN Women findings that link increased women’s participation to improved electoral turnout and economic outcomes.
Kwale County has long faced gender-related challenges, from high illiteracy rates to limited female political representation. The forum built upon prior initiatives such as the Girls Advocacy Alliance, which between 2016 and 2020 promoted girls’ education and economic empowerment in the region. Wetang’ula’s continued engagements—coming just three days after a similar call for women empowerment in Mwatate—suggest a sustained strategy aimed at changing these trends.
“Empowering our women is not just a moral duty—it’s an economic necessity,” Wetang’ula said, urging collaboration between public and private sectors to scale up grassroots opportunities. Research by Plan International shows that empowered women can raise household incomes by as much as 20%, a statistic that bolsters Wetang’ula’s argument for inclusive prosperity.
As the event concluded, Wetang’ula called for unity and mutual respect among leaders, framing women’s inclusion not as a token gesture but as a pillar of Kenya’s democratic and economic future.