Corporate Communication Unit.
Lion Place Nairobi, Kenya; March 15, 2021
It was glitz and glamour during an award gala dinner on which the Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) was awarded for its various initiatives on gender parity. The Office bagged an award during this year’s National Diversity and Inclusion Awards and Recognition held on 12th March 2021 at Sarit Centre in Nairobi. ORPP was awarded 2nd runners up in the category of best parastatal on gender parity. The nominations and eventual awards are based on expert-panel evaluation of an entity/individual work and reports especially those filed with the Public Service Commission by public institutions.
Some of the Office’s notable initiatives towards gender parity are capacity building for women in political parties; continual monitoring of compliance for gender parity requirements in the registration and compliance of political parties processes and strategic cooperation with actors promoting gender course.
National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) Chairperson Joyce Mutinda (left) presents the award to Assistant Registrar of Political Parties CPA Florence Birya (2nd left) and team representing ORPP at the awards gala held in Cherengani halls, Sarit Centre Nairobi.
Various National leaders, heads of government institutions and private sectors luminaries were present at the awards ceremony. Speakers accentuated the need to break the barriers and creating opportunities for the ‘able and differently able’ for harmonious society. Sentiments that were well in tune with the event’s theme “Celebrating Everyday Inclusion in the Workplace and the Society”.
Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana called on all county governments to embrace diversity and equality. In my country we seek to celebrate exceptional initiatives such as this, noted Kisumu County Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o who was also present to show support to one of the county’s Executives being awarded.
“To accelerate the realization of a gender-equal future and women leadership, we must ensure gender balance in leadership spaces and opportunities in both levels of government and the private sector as guaranteed in the Kenyan Constitutional reform agenda”, noted Joyce Mutinda, the Chairperson of National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC). James Maina, the Director of Daima Trust, the awards organizers expressed gratitude for all players and individuals efforts across the country that progressively champion diversity and inclusion. “I’m diversity and we will move far if you embrace me, Maina said in a moving poem he recited to the audience.
Being diverse is to be celebrated, hence the diversity and inclusion initiatives we are witnessing today is critical for all within a society, noted Beatrice Elachi, the Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Public Service and Gender. She represented the ministry’s Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Margaret Kobia as the Chief Guest.
Other institutions nominated/awarded included; National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), Safaricom PLC, Coca-Coca, BAT Kenya, NCBA, Kenya Re, The University of Nairobi, University of Embu, Kisumu County Government, Commission on Administrative Justice, LVCT Health, NONDO, Cheshire Disability Services among others.
The awards were meant to celebrate peace, inclusion and equality champions who have embraced diversity and inclusion as a tool for advancing their agenda. The event was mooted in 2018, as a programme for recognising individuals and organisations that showcase positive impactful measures in respective sectors.