CEO Dr. Purity Ngina Calls for Accelerated Gender Diversity in Corporate Kenya

On the evening of November 22, 2024, corporate Kenya gathered at the Carnivore Simba Saloon in Nairobi for the prestigious Women on Boards Network (WOBN) Awards.

The event celebrated transformative leadership and progress in diversity and inclusivity within the nation's corporate governance landscape. Among the keynote speakers was Dr. Purity Ngina, the CEO of the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), who delivered a compelling address on advancing gender parity in boardrooms.

Dr. Ngina began by commending the WOBN for its steadfast commitment to nurturing women leaders over the years, describing the evening as a celebration of "leadership, excellence, and transformative impact." She underscored the criticality of such forums in reminding stakeholders of their shared responsibility to ensure corporate spaces reflect Kenya's diversity.

Drawing from NGEC’s recently published Gender Representation on Boards of Companies Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange Audit Report 2023, Dr. Ngina outlined the state of gender equity in boardrooms

“Women now occupy 36% of board seats in listed companies, a marked improvement from previous years,” she said.

However, she highlighted the persistent gaps, noting that women held only 16% of board chair positions and remained significantly underrepresented in industries like energy and manufacturing.

“This report underscores that while we are on the right trajectory, the pace of change must accelerate,” Dr. Ngina asserted, calling on public, private, and civil society actors to recommit to gender mainstreaming and inclusivity.

The keynote emphasized that gender-balanced boards are more than a moral imperative—they are a strategic necessity. Dr. Ngina referenced global studies that demonstrate how diverse boards outperform homogeneous ones through enhanced innovation, decision- making, and corporate reputation.

“Our Constitution, Employment Act, and Companies Act provide a strong legal foundation for inclusivity,” she noted, “but laws alone are insufficient without leaders— like those we honor tonight—ensuring compliance and championing inclusivity.”

Dr. Ngina positioned NGEC as both an advocate and an accountability custodian. Through audits such as the NSE Report, NGEC provides empirical data to track progress on constitutional thresholds for gender representation. Beyond monitoring, the Commission spearheads initiatives to equip women with leadership skills, aligning its efforts with WOBN’s mission of nurturing board-ready women.

“We are committed to breaking systemic barriers and fostering inclusive policies to ensure women’s participation in leadership is not just symbolic but impactful,” she stated.

In her address, Dr. Ngina challenged the audience to embed inclusivity in their organizational DNA. She outlined key actions, including implementing gender- responsive policies, mentoring young women leaders, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures.

To men, she extended an invitation to allyship: “Gender parity is not a women’s issue; it is a societal issue that requires all of us to act.”

She further urged organizations to transcend tokenism, emphasizing that diversity is about meaningful representation, not quotas.

NGEC CEO Dr. Purity Ngina delivers a key note speech during the Women on Boards Network Awards Ceremeony at the Carnivore, Nairobi