In a bold move to stem the tide of deepening inequality in Kilifi County, the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has launched a spirited campaign to embed inclusion at the heart of governance. At the forefront of this mission is Commissioner Dr. Margaret Karungaru, who recently led a strategic dialogue with Kilifi County Assembly leadership, setting the tone for a new era of equitable development.
Meeting with Hon. Michael Ngala, the Clerk of the County Assembly, alongside key oversight committees, the Commission championed the prioritisation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs)—women, youth,persons with disabilities (PWDs), children, older members of society, minorities, and the marginalised—in all governance processes.
“When budgets ignore the lived realities of vulnerable groups, development stalls. We must shift from tokenism to meaningful inclusion,” said Dr. Karungaru during the consultative engagement. The Commission urged the Assembly to adopt gender-responsive budgeting and ensure inclusive public participation, two cornerstones of equitable governance.
Later, during a session with the Kilifi County Equality and Inclusion Technical Working Group (TWG), the Commission received progressive proposals aimed at turning Kilifi into a beacon of inclusive policy implementation. These included community-led audits of service delivery, mapping of barriers faced by PWDs, and stronger enforcement of children's rights.
