Roads and transport cabinet secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has launched the inaugural Women in Construction Forum.
Speaking during the launch at Barabara Plaza Auditorium the transport CS says the Government recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace and increased representation of women.
The CS also challenged government parastatals in his ministry to consider women engineers when awarding contracts of major infrastructure in line with the third gender rule.
He cited Kenya Rural Roads Authority where he said there are only two women regional managers out of 47.
CS Murkomen noted that despite being 51 pc of the Kenyan population, only 3 pc of artisans are women while a paltry 7.3 pc of engineers registered by the Engineers Board of Kenya.
Adding that only 15.5 pc of contractors, and 17 pc of registered quantity surveyors are women.
´To review the status of this sector and make it more accommodating for women, my Ministry, in collaboration with the Office of the Advisor to the President on Women Rights, have the pleasure of inaugurating this year’s Women in Construction Forum 2023, under the theme Female Led, Female Built, Female Powered.´ Said CS Murkomen.
The event brings together women developers, contractors and all associates in the construction sector with the aim of promoting, recognising and advancing their role in the industry.