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Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development Hon. Alice Wahome has called on women to assert their presence in the construction industry. Speaking this morning at the Nairobi Serena Hotel during the launch of the Women in Construction Summit (WICS), CS Wahome highlighted the need for increased female participation in the sector.
The summit, set to take place from July 16 to 18 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, aims to address the gender disparity in the construction industry. “Only 15.4 percent of registered contractors in Kenya are women, underscoring the limited presence of female entrepreneurs and professionals in key decision-making positions,” said CS Wahome. She further noted that women represent, on average, just 4.5 percent of the industry players.
Housing and Urban Development PS Charles Hinga reiterated the government’s commitment to including women in the Affordable Housing Project jobs. “Our efforts are focused on ensuring that women have equal opportunities in all our housing projects,” he emphasized.
CS Wahome was accompanied by her Principal Secretaries, Joel Arumonyang (Public Works) and Charles Hinga (Housing and Urban Development). The President’s Women Rights Advisor, Harriet Chiggai, also attended the launch, lending her support to the initiative.
The Women in Construction Summit is expected to be a pivotal event, fostering dialogue and action towards greater gender equality in the construction industry. The summit will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and female professionals to discuss strategies for empowering women and enhancing their participation in the sector.
With the government’s backing and initiatives like WICS, there is hope for a more inclusive future in Kenya’s construction industry.
