Purity Ngina sworn in as CEO of the Gender Commission

By Peter Ochieng

A change of guard has been exhibited at the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC).

Dr Purity Ngina was on Monday sworn in as new secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Commission, taking over from Betty Sungura Nyabuto, whose 5-year-term in office came to an end in March.

Dr Ngina took the oath of office at the Supreme Court, in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome.

Dr Ngina grabbed headlines when she became the youngest Ph.D. holder in Biomathematics, after attaining the feat at Strathmore University in 2018 at the age of 28.

Her previous work stations include serving as the regional manager, Research and Assessment at Zizi Afrique Foundation.

Prior to that, she was a lecturer at Strathmore University in Nairobi where she taught Financial Engineering, Financial Economics and Actuarial Science students.

Speaking after Ngina’s swearing-in, CJ Koome commended the Commission for settling on Ngina as its new leader, adding that the country is increasingly acknowledging the potential and capability of young people.

“As a believer in the capability of young people myself, I’m excited that the Commission has seen fit to appoint a young competent person to be the driver of its programs and work,” said Koome.

“I urge you Dr Ngina to use this unique opportunity to be a powerful voice for the voiceless and an advocate for the rights of the vulnerable and marginalised,” she added.

The Constitution, Koome added, intends for the National Gender and Equality Commission to play the crucial role of fostering an inclusive society that values the contributions and rights of all its citizens.

NGEC is a constitutional body established by the National Gender and Equality Commission Act, 2011 pursuant to Article 59 (4) of the constitution.

Its focus is on special interest groups, which include women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWD), children, older members of society and minority groups.