Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has hailed women as the foundation of strong families, cohesive communities and national development, urging them to continue playing a leading role in advancing education, security, healthcare and economic empowerment.

Speaking during a women’s empowerment forum in Nairobi, PS Omollo said women remain at the centre of family welfare and community stability, noting that their contribution to raising responsible citizens, supporting livelihoods and nurturing future generations is indispensable to the country’s progress.

The PS called on residents to work closely with local administrators, including Village Elders, Assistant Chiefs and Chiefs, to strengthen community security and address 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.

Dr. Omollo noted that a secure environment is essential for economic growth and community prosperity, adding that the Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across all parts of the country.

He highlighted the ongoing implementation of the Affordable Housing Programme, describing it as one of the transformative initiatives aimed at improving living standards while creating employment and business opportunities for local communities.

“The affordable housing programme is not only providing decent homes but is also creating jobs and business opportunities for wananchi. We want residents to prepare themselves to benefit from these houses once they are completed so that more families can enjoy dignified living conditions with access to water, electricity and sanitation,” he said.

On healthcare, the PS urged residents to register under the Social Health Authority (SHA), emphasizing that access to affordable and quality healthcare is critical to family welfare and economic stability. He noted that the Government has made significant investments in healthcare reforms to ensure that Kenyans can access medical services without facing financial hardship.

“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.

Dr. Omollo further challenged women to champion education within their households and communities, noting that education remains the most powerful tool for social transformation and economic mobility. He observed that the Government has allocated approximately KSh 780 billion to the education sector and recruited more than 100,000 teachers over the last three years as part of ongoing efforts to improve access to quality education.

The PS also highlighted investments in education infrastructure, particularly in Nairobi, where the Government has undertaken targeted interventions to address overcrowding in schools through the construction of additional classrooms and expansion of learning facilities.

“In many schools across Nairobi, classrooms have been overstretched due to rising enrolment. The Government has invested heavily in expanding education infrastructure because every child deserves a conducive learning environment. Education remains the greatest equalizer, giving children from all backgrounds an opportunity to succeed and build a better future,” he said.

Dr. Omollo encouraged women to take advantage of emerging opportunities within Government administration, including future recruitment opportunities for Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs, emphasizing the need for greater female representation in leadership and public service.

“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 nationbuilding,” he said.

The PS commended President William Ruto’s administration for implementing programmes that are expanding access to housing, healthcare, education and economic opportunities, noting that the Government’s development agenda is improving the quality of life for millions of Kenyans.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive development and called on wananchi to continue supporting initiatives aimed at uplifting families, empowering women and accelerating socio-economic transformation across the country. Present was Langata member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor among other leaders.