Kwale Governor H.E Fatuma Achani has been hailed for the significant advancements in healthcare, education, women and youth empowerment, and economic growth among others in her County. Speaking during the activation of the G7 Strategy at the Kwale Teachers Training College in Kwale County, H.E Fatuma Achani enumerated the milestones achieved across various sectors during her tenure. “Under my administration, we have opened more than 300 companies for women groups as part of the women empowerment efforts. Additionally, in the last financial year, more than 30 women groups received tenders to do business with the County Government of Kwale,” added H.E Achani.
The G7 Strategy activation in Kwale brought together Women Governors, Elected Members of Parliament and County Assemblies, the CS for Health Dr. Deborah Barasa, Eminent Women leaders from all over the country, Development and Non-governmental partners and residents of Kwale County. Kwale is the 4th woman-led county to launch the strategy at the local level following the Kirinyaga County chapter activation in September. “Despite the elusive two thirds gender rule, significant strides have been made with more women being elected to gubernatorial positions in the second cycle of devolution. The vision of the G7 strategy is to increase the representation of women at all leadership and decision making levels and together, we can move from G7 to G24. H.E fatuma Achani has proven that indeed women leadership works,” noted Kirinyaga Governor H.E Anne Waiguru. Homa Bay’s Gladys Wanga further echoed the clarion call – G7 to G24, emphasizing the need for increased women participation and representation across from the grassroots to the national level.
Her counterpart H.E Cecily Mbarire of Embu commended H.E Fatuma Achani for being the first female muslim to be elected as a governor in Kenya, having previously served as the Deputy Governor in Kwale for 10 years.
“Women leaders are faced with many challenges. It is therefore important for all actors, including both men and women, to support women leaders to deliver on the devolution agenda and bring the much needed transformation for the growth of our communities and economy,” added H.E Wavinya Ndeti of Machakos.
Nakuru’s Susan Kihika joined her colleagues in applauding the work undertaken in Kwale County by the women leaders at all levels led by H.E Fatuma Achani.  “I have learnt a lot and l intend to replicate the development projects in Kwale in my own county, especially the Oncology Centre,” she added while thanking the CEO CoG Mary Mwiti for her exemplary leadership and commitment to service.
The G7 members visited key development projects in the County including the newly launched Oncology Centre at Kwale Sub-County Hospital, Kwale Audio-Visual Recording Studio, the Kwale Stadium, and the Renal Unit and ICU at Kinango sub-county Hospital.
Health CS Dr. Deborah Barasa pledged the commitment of the National government in ensuring the realization of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and providing quality healthcare to all Kenyans. “The achievements made in the health sector in Kwale are indeed admirable and we will work together with the County Government and all stakeholders to improve health service delivery to our people,” she added.
The event also saw the launch of a Ksh. 20 million NAVCPD grant that will be allocated to the Saccos in all the 20 wards in Kwale County. Women groups were also given LPOs to do business with the County Government. The G7 Strategy provides a detailed framework that guides our collective efforts in realizing the true potential of devolution in Kenya while amplifying the voices of women in leadership.
Let us all join hands in championing for inclusivity, development and women leadership.