NAIROBI, Kenya — Raymond Omollo has described women as the backbone of family welfare and national development, urging them to continue driving progress in education, security, healthcare and economic empowerment.
Speaking during a women’s empowerment forum in Nairobi on Sunday, the Principal Secretary said women play an indispensable role in building strong families, cohesive communities and a prosperous nation.
Dr. Omollo said the country’s development depends on the contribution of women in raising responsible citizens, supporting livelihoods and nurturing future generations.
He also appealed to residents to work closely with local administrators, including village elders, assistant chiefs and chiefs, to strengthen community security and resolve emerging challenges before they escalate.
“Security begins with all of us. When communities work closely with Government administrators, we are able to identify challenges early, support vulnerable youth and create a safe environment for families and businesses to thrive,” he said.
The PS said a secure environment remains critical to economic growth and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the country.
He also highlighted the Affordable Housing Programme, describing it as a transformative initiative that is improving living standards while creating employment and business opportunities for local communities.
On healthcare, Dr. Omollo urged Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying universal access to affordable healthcare is essential for family welfare and economic stability.
“Every family should be registered under SHA. No Kenyan should be forced to choose between seeking medical treatment and meeting basic household needs. The Government is committed to protecting families from the burden of catastrophic healthcare costs,” he said.
Turning to education, the Principal Secretary challenged women to champion learning within their homes and communities, describing education as the greatest tool for social transformation and economic mobility.
He said the government has allocated approximately Sh780 billion to the education sector and recruited more than 100,000 teachers over the past three years to improve access to quality education.
He added that investments in additional classrooms and expanded learning facilities, particularly in Nairobi, are intended to ease congestion in schools and provide a better learning environment for children.
Dr. Omollo further encouraged qualified women to pursue leadership positions in public administration, including future recruitment opportunities for chiefs and assistant chiefs, saying greater female representation would strengthen governance and service delivery.
“We need more women in leadership because they bring unique strengths to governance, community mobilization and service delivery. I encourage qualified women to step forward whenever opportunities arise and contribute to nation-building,” he said.
He also commended President William Ruto’s administration for expanding access to housing, healthcare, education and economic opportunities through ongoing government programmes. According to the PS, these initiatives are improving the quality of life for millions of Kenyans and advancing inclusive socio-economic development.
The event was attended by Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, alongside other leaders, as participants called for continued collaboration in empowering women and strengthening families as a foundation for national development.