Article Index

 

 

National Gender and Equality Commission NGEC

 

 

Open. Accountable. Responsible

 

Contents
Introduction

Authority

Though a 'Successor in title' Commission, the NGEC is a fully independent Commission with full powers as conferred under Chapter 15 of the New Constitution.

Roles and Functions

The NGEC will promote and protect gender equality and equity.

Composition

The top leadership of the NGEC has five Commissioners.

 

 Introduction

 

 logo of the NGEC

The National Gender and Equality Commission, NGEC, was formally known as the National Commission on Gender and Development, NCGD under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development.  The NGEC is not explicitly mentioned by name in the New Constitution. Rather, it is a 'successor in title' Commission created from the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission, KNHREC.

The objectives of this Commission are mainly to promote gender equality and freedom from discrimination. 

 

 

Authority

 

Though a successor Commission, the National Gender and Equality Commission, NGEC, is fully independent and inherits the status and powers of its parent Commission (the KNHREC) as outlined in Chapter 15 - Commissions and Independent Offices of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Excerpts from Article 59 of Chapter 4 - The Bill of Rights, Part 5 - The Kenya National Human Rights And Equality Commission:

59. (5) If Parliament enacts legislation restructuring the Commission under clause (4)–– ....... (b) each of the successor commissions shall have powers equivalent to the powers of the Commission under this Article; and (c) each successor commission shall be a commission within the meaning of Chapter Fifteen, and shall have the status and powers of a commission under that Chapter.

To give effect, Parliament enacted the National Gender and Equality Act 2011 to establish the Commission.

As a Commission, the NGEC is empowered by Article 252 to initiate investigations based on suspicions or claims of discrimination, to have the authority of a Court to summon a witness in the course of such investigations, and to act as a peace-maker to right any wrongs and facilitate amends. Chapter 15 - Commissions and Independent Offices, excerpts:

252. (1) Each commission, and each holder of an independent office— (a) may conduct investigations on its own initiative or on a complaint made by a member of the public;
(3) The following commissions and independent offices have the power to issue a summons to a witness to assist for the purposes of its investigations— (a) the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission;  
(1) Each commission, and each holder of an independent office— (b) has the powers necessary for conciliation, mediation and negotiation;

 

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