NAIROBI — The State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development has been awarded for its strong commitment to gender equality and inclusion during the 2025 USAWA Awards ceremony held at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.
The event, organized by the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), recognized the department for its leadership in promoting fairness in the workplace and advancing the rights of underrepresented groups throughout 2024.
The ceremony also marked the launch of NGEC’s Fourth Strategic Plan (2025–2029), which outlines the Commission’s priorities in tackling discrimination and strengthening equity frameworks across public institutions.
Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, and Children Services Hanna Wendot Cheptumo presided over the event and emphasized that equality is not a favor but a constitutional right. Quoting Article 27 of Kenya’s Constitution, she stated, “The right to equal protection and benefit under the law applies to all. We must treat equality not as an aspiration but as an obligation.”
Cheptumo also announced the completion of a National Men’s Engagement and Inclusion Strategy, designed to ensure that men and boys are active participants and direct beneficiaries in the nation’s gender agenda. “This is not about replacing one form of exclusion with another. It is about equity across the board,” she added.
The award was received on behalf of the department by Catherine Njoroge, Director of Information, who represented Principal Secretary Dr. Jane Kere Imbunya. Njoroge reaffirmed the department’s commitment to inclusive public service.
The NGEC praised the department for integrating gender and social inclusion into its human resource policies and service delivery. The award highlighted specific efforts in addressing systemic barriers faced by women, youth, persons with disabilities, older adults, and marginalized communities.
The USAWA Awards were created by NGEC to recognize institutions that show tangible progress in addressing inequality and promoting inclusion. This year’s event brought together government agencies, civil society leaders, and development partners, all aligned in the goal of building a more equitable society.
The Commission called on more public and private bodies to adopt inclusive practices and align with the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, which focuses on accountability, data-driven action, and collaboration across all sectors.
Kenya’s commitment to a fair and just society, the CS said, “depends on action not just policy.”
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