Showdown looms over women’s empowerment policy MPs say undermines NGAAF
Legislators warned that the proposed county-level rollout and funding mechanisms mirror NGAAF initiatives run by Women Representatives, risking resource diversion and weakening established institutions.
The National Assembly Committee on Social Protection has raised strong objections to the proposed National Policy for Women’s Economic Empowerment, warning it could undermine the constitutional role of the 47 Women Representatives.
Chaired by Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, the Committee met with officials from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) to review the policy, developed by the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action. Although the policy seeks to enhance women’s access to financial services, markets, and economic opportunities, MPs argued that its implementation strategy is unclear and risks duplicating existing programs.
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"We support every effort that empowers women," said Ng’ang’a. "But we cannot sit and watch a policy rollout that risks weakening institutions already delivering results. If something is working, don't create a parallel system; reinforce it."
Closely mirror NGAAF initiatives
Legislators noted that the proposed county-level rollout and funding mechanisms closely mirror NGAAF initiatives currently managed by Women Representatives. They warned that this overlap could divert resources and weaken established institutions.
NGAAF CEO Roy Sasaka Telewa stressed the need for precision in defining roles.
"The policy must expressly state who the implementing agency is. If it is NGAAF, then it must operate within existing frameworks so that efforts complement rather than duplicate."
MPs also cautioned that the policy’s proposed coordination bodies could bypass parliamentary oversight, sidelining Women Representatives mandated by the Constitution to champion women’s issues.
Mombasa Woman Rep Zamzam Mohammed raised concerns about limited consultation with counties and criticised the policy’s strict loan access requirements.
"Counties already have their own budgets. This appears to be coming through the back door. The Cabinet Secretary must clearly explain what the intent is," she said. "Let's be realistic while creating policies. Where will young people get the logbooks and title deeds to access loans in this economy, as required by the youth fund?"
Scheme to edge out Women Reps
Narok North MP Agnes Pareyio described elements of the proposal as "a scheme to edge out Women Representatives," while Tarbaj MP Barre Hussein Abid warned that "NGAAF is being fought through policy language."
The committee clarified it is not opposed to Cabinet-led initiatives but insisted that parliamentary oversight must be respected.
"We are not against the Cabinet," said Ng’ang’a. "However, as custodians of NGAAF and champions of women’s empowerment, we must ensure public resources are used prudently. It's better to expand NGAAF's mandate than create new bureaucracies."
The committee is expected to meet with the Cabinet Secretary for Gender in the coming weeks to seek further clarification and to ensure the policy strengthens, rather than competes with, existing empowerment structures.
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