President William Ruto has nominated former Isiolo Woman Representative Rehema Jaldesa as the chairperson of the Gender and Equality Commission.
Prior to the nomination, she had been appointed Chief Administrative Secretary tourism, wildlife and heritage, before the courts termed the positions as null and void.
Jaldesa served as Isiolo Woman Representative from 2017 to 2022.
Before her election to Parliament, she served as the Chairperson of Kenya Industrial Estates Board and Ewaso Ng'iro North Development Authority Board and a Board Member of Kenya Seed Company.
Prior to her stint in public service, Jaldesa served within various roles at Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).
She holds a Master's Degree in Governance and Leadership from Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology and Bachelor's degree in Leadership and Management from St Paul's University.
The appointment follows the end of tenure of the previous chairperson of the commission.
Should she be confirmed, Jaldesa will succeed Dr Joyce Mutinda.
The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) is established by the National Gender and Equality Commission Act, 2011 pursuant to Article 59 (4) of the Constitution of Kenya.
The commission focuses on Special Interest Groups, which include women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), children, the older members of society, minorities and marginalized groups and draws its mandate from Section 8 of the National Gender and Equality Commission Act 2011.
