Ms. Anne Wang’ombe is the Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action in the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage in the Republic of Kenya.

Ms. Wang’ombe is an accomplished leader with a proven track record in public service and a deep commitment to advancing the rights of marginalized communities. She has been instrumental in shaping policies and programs that address critical issues related to gender equity.

Ms. Wang’ombe holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration and Planning from University of Nairobi and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Kenyatta University. She has also completed advanced certifications in HR Management from Highpro Skills Training College, South Africa.

Ms. Wang’ombe is a professional human resource manager and educationist experienced in enhancing organizational growth through strategic human resource administration, policy formulation and implementation, and people management. She has rich experience in performance and change management and had demonstrated successes in human resource management and scheme fund management in large national organizations as well as coordinating multi-skilled teams.

Ms. Wang’ombe has held various influential positions within the public sector, including:

• Manager at Kenya Revenue Authority Staff Pension Scheme (KRASPA);
• Assistant Director-Human Resources and Administration at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI);
• Lecturer at Kenya Methodist University (Nyeri and Nairobi Campus), Mt.Kenya University and Kagumo Teachers College

As the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, Ms. Wang’ombe oversees the formulation and implementation of policies and programs aimed at promoting gender equity, empowerment of women, and affirmative action for disadvantaged groups.

She plays a pivotal role in driving the Department’s agenda to create a more inclusive and equitable society. Ms. Wang’ombe is dedicated to advancing a vision of society where gender disparities are eliminated. She is committed to fostering a culture of equality, respect, and opportunity for all individuals, regardless of gender or background.

Ms. Wang’ombe is an active member of the Kenya Association for Pubic Administration and Management (KEPAM).

Away from office Ms Wang’ombe is a passionate football fan and supports community-based teams. She also enjoys hiking, volunteering and reading in her free time.

Secretary Gender

Secretary Gender Dr.Josephine Obonyo

Dr. Josephine Obonyo is the Secretary Gender at the State Department for Gender and Affirmative inthe Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage.

She is a skilled gender practitioner with in-depth knowledge, expertise and experience in the gender sector spurning over two decades.
Dr. Obonyo professes a multidisciplinary academic background and a range of professional and
management skills. She holds a Doctorate degree in Anthropology and Gender, a Masters in Gender and Development Studies, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and a Post-graduate diploma in Human Resource Management.

She is an accomplished researcher in the areas of gender and climate smart agriculture; value chain and gender and food security and widely published within the gender discourse with a bias towards Gender based violence, Women, Peace and Security & Women and Governance.

Her areas of expertise include Gender programming; policy development and reviews; Curricula and training manuals development; training and capacity development on gender and Inclusion; GBV ToT Case Management and SASA! training; resource mobilization, programmes and project reviewsan d evaluation; conducting baseline surveys among other areas.

Dr. Obonyo has previously held the positions as stated below:

• Director of Institute of Women, Gender and Development Studies at Egerton University,
• Gender Advisor – USAID Kenya Empowered YouthProgram: Gender Equity and Social Inclusion;
• Programme Coordinator, Christian Partners Development Agency,
• Programme manager, The League of Kenya Women Voters among others.

Prior to that she worked in both the private and education sectors.

As the Secretary Gender at the State Department for Gender Affirmative Action, Dr. Obonyo is the Principal assistant to the Principal Secretary on technical matters and head of technical functions providing leadership and overseeing functions of technical directorates.

She is also charged with overseeing, the interpretation, articulation of gender policies management, coordinating appropriation of gender related funds and promoting partnerships with development partners and stakeholders

She is a member of Women, Education Researchers of Kenya, (WERK) , University of Nairobi Alumni Association and a life member of the League of Kenya Women Voters