State Department for Culture and Heritage

Together with colleague @HonAhmedSalan ( PS National Government Coordination), Hon. Mahmud Sirat (Former Mp Wajir South), Hon. Nasri Sahal (Chairperson Northern Water Board), Sultan Mohamed Yare Abdi Ogle, Sheikh Muhamud, and the area Deputy County Commissioner, we attended a graduation ceremony at Al-Hidaya Islamic Madrasa in Habswein, Wajir County. We commend the 63 graduands, as well as the Mudhir of the Madrasa, Sheikh Ahmed Hussein Haret , on this significant milestone. Religious education plays a pivotal role in shaping morally grounded individuals, with Islamic principles continuing to foster unity, discipline, and social cohesion within our communities.

The Government of Kenya has today signed a series of strategic(MoUs) at the high-level Ministerial session of the inaugural Kenya–Morocco Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) with the Kingdom of Morocco across multiple sectors, including Gender , Culture , health, agriculture, sports, the blue economy and higher education, marking a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral cooperation between our two nations. The JCC was witnessed by the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, @MusaliaMudavadi and H.E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates . Also present were colleague Cabinet Secretaries @HonAdenDuale , CS. @Julius ogamba. Among these were MoUs on cultural cooperation and on the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment. The cultural cooperation framework will promote the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, while supporting the development of artistic and cultural sectors through the exchange of knowledge, skills, and capacities. The MoU on gender equality and women empowerment seeks to strengthen bilateral engagement in gender-related areas, while leveraging shared experience, innovation, and scientific potential to advance equality and expand opportunities for women. These agreements underscore our shared commitment to inclusive development, cultural exchange, and the empowerment of women as key drivers of sustainable progress.

This morning, I joined fellow Principal Secretaries for a breakfast briefing on the Draft Public Service Performance Management Bill, 2025, presided over by PS @HonAhmedSalan . The engagement provided a timely and strategic platform to appraise all Principal Secretaries of the key provisions of the draft Public Service Performance Management Bill, which seeks to enhance efficiency, strengthen accountability and foster a result based performance culture in our public service.

Together with CS @hannawcheptumo , We appeared before the Public Petitions Committee of the National Assembly to make submissions regarding a petition seeking the recognition and protection of the Traditional and Cultural Rights of the Kiwayu Island Community in Lamu County. Through the State Department for Culture, The Arts and Heritage, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding cultural rights, promoting and protecting all forms of cultural expression, as well as advancing community rights as part of the national development agenda.

Together with PS. @UmmiMBashir , We appeared before Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee Chaired by Hon. Janet Sitinei to make a submission on the petition concerning the recognition and protection of the traditional and cultural rights of the Kiwayu Island Community, Lamu. Our submission addressed key legal, policy and institutional issues, including the mandate of the @museumsofkenya under the National Museums and Heritage Act (Cap. 216) in safeguarding heritage resources; the need for systematic research, mapping and documentation of cultural and natural heritage sites for possible gazettement and the ecological and cultural significance of the Kiunga–Kiwayu landscape to support sustainable use, conservation and equitable benefit-sharing. We reaffirmed to the Committee and the public of the Ministry’s commitment to protecting marine ecosystems and cultural heritage resources within the Kiunga–Kiwayu landscape

This morning, I participated in the Accelerated Delivery of the Government Legislative Agenda prioritization roundtable, coordinated by PS Parliamentary Affairs, @PSAureliarono . The session provided a platform to identify critical priorities for accelerated implementation. We also undertook a comprehensive review of draft policies, Bills, and regulations, prioritizing key actions to strengthen the promotion and preservation of culture, arts, and heritage.

This morning, I joined colleague Principal Secretaries for the monthly coordination meeting chaired by the Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff, Hon. @koske_felix . The meeting provided a strategic platform to take stock of key government programmes and to strengthen coordination across ministries, departments, and agencies in order to accelerate implementation and enhance effective service delivery to the people.

Together with my team from the Ministry @UmmiMBashir , @PsgAnneWangombe & Oficials from the three State departments, we Appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, chaired by Senator .Julius Murgor Recha to present the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services’ submission on policy and legislative priorities, the status of key programme performance and the strategic outlook for BPS 2026. The engagement focused on advancing gender equality, strengthening child protection systems, and promoting culture and the creative economy as drivers of inclusive development. Key Culture and Heritage priorities include the Culture Bill, 2024 before the Senate, development of a National Restitution Policy, review of the National Culture and Heritage Policy and formulation of the Libraries Bill, 2025 and the National Records Management Policy. In the Gender sub-sector, priorities center on eliminating GBV, strengthening women’s economic empowerment, advancing affirmative action, and strengthening frameworks including the National Policy on Women Economic Empowerment, the National Care Policy, GBV protection centres, and implementation of the two-thirds gender principle. For Children Services, the Ministry is fast-tracking regulations to operationalize the Children Act, 2022, alongside the Kenya Children Policy (2025) and the Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (2026), both submitted to Cabinet, to strengthen coordination, protection and service delivery. The Ministry remains committed to scaling up high-impact programmes, accelerating reforms, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring inclusive development.

Together with CS @hannawcheptumo and PS Anne Wangombe, we appeared before the Senate standing committee on Labour and Social Welfare. The engagement provided a strategic platform to take stock of the key policy, legislative and oversight issues under the Ministry’s mandate. We also undertook a comprehensive review of the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) allocations and performance outcomes, as well as examining the 2026 BPS priorities, proposed budget ceilings and emerging policy directions affecting programmes under the Ministry. Our deliberations also focused on aligning resource allocation with identified gaps and agree on actionable recommendations and timelines.

Joined the Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff @koske_felix , to celebrate and honour Dr. Manu Chandaria , OBE, CBS, EBS, who was recognized for his remarkable philanthropy programmes by His Excellency Dr. @WilliamsRuto , C.G.H., at the 2025 Mashujaa Day. Dr. Chandaria’s life and works embodies the very spirit of heroism we honour today. Through the Chandaria Foundation, he has impacted the society in education, health, arts and culture, environment, community outreach and entrepreneurship. For more than six decades, his foundation has played a pivotal role in inspiring generations both in Kenya and beyond. In the Arts and Culture sector he has helped nurture talent and creativity through the Chandaria Centre for Performing Arts at the University of Nairobi.

During my inspection tour of the Kisumu Museum, I was pleased to receive students from St. Cecilia Girls Misikhu webuye, who were on an educational tour of the Museum. This affirms the centrality of Museums in advancing learning and nurturing knowledge among the young people.

Eid Mubarak. May the almighty accept all our Saum and Ibadah. Amin Thuma Amin.

At the invitation of the French Embassy, I attended a breakfast meeting that was co-hosted by H.E. @arnaud_suquet , Ambassador of France to Kenya, and @SingoeiAKorir , Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Also in attendance was PS Elijah Mwangi (Sports). Our discussions centered on the upcoming Africa-France Summit themed “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnership for Innovation and Growth,” which Kenya will jointly host with France on 11th–12th May, 2026 in Nairobi. The summit will culminate in the Africa Forward concert as the official cultural closing event, bringing together leading artists from across the continent to perform before audiences of Heads of State, senior government officials, business leaders, as well as prominent figures from the creative industries across Africa and Europe. Culture and Arts continue to be effective tools of diplomacy in establishing stronger ties among countries.

A country where women and girls enjoy equal access to education, employment, health and economic opportunities is not merely an aspiration, it is very much possible. It means building a culture where women can live safely, speak freely and exist equally. The International Women’s Day 2026, is a timely reminder to reaffirm these commitments of advancing equality, dignity and opportunities for all women and girls in Kenya and beyond. Happy International Women’s Day 2026.

From all of us at the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services; @gender_ke @UmmiMBashir @CarrenAgengo , we proudly join the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day 2026. This year’s reflection reminds us of a powerful truth: when we give women opportunities, support and dignity, we all gain stronger families, stronger communities & a stronger Nation. As a Ministry, we remain committed to uplifting, empowering and creating spaces where every woman and girl can rise and thrive. #InternationalWomensDay2026