President William Ruto and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire have differed over the implementation of the NADCO report and the ten-point agenda agreement.
Mbarire insists that the two-thirds gender rule has neither been implemented nor given sufficient attention, a claim that President Ruto strongly disputed, saying the broad-based government remains committed to advancing gender equality.
As President Ruto was wrapping up his address during a joint parliamentary group meeting on the NADCO report on Tuesday, UDA chair Mbarire suddenly raised her hand, asking for the microphone to pose a question directly to the Head of State.
“Sir, I am sorry I have to speak before you come down… Please say something about the two-thirds gender rule. It is silent in this report, and even under the recommendations of the Zani committee, they are silent about the way forward,” Mbarire pressed.
“It is there, it is there, Cess. We cannot make such a fatal mistake. Item number one,” Ruto replied.
Interrupting a sitting president while he is still on the podium is hardly routine. But the Embu governor pressed on.
“Sir, you know how critical this matter is. Your pronouncement means a lot to the women of this country,” she said.
The exchange laid bare simmering unease among some leaders over the implementation of the NADCO agreement and its ten-point agenda.