Parliamentary members raised apprehensions on Tuesday regarding the unequal allocation of job openings in the public sector, where certain ethnic groups seem to hold a predominant presence.
The National Assembly Committee on Labour, led by Runyenjes lawmaker Karemba Muchagi, found it necessary to seek further clarification during a meeting with Public Service Commission (PSC) officials at the Bunge Towers in Nairobi.
The Committee cordially invited PSC, under the leadership of Chairperson Antony Muchiri, to respond to inquiries about the commission’s efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion within the public service sector.
As per the report presented to the committee by the Commission, a concerning disparity was observed in the employment trends among various communities within the country.
As an example, the report pointed out that the Kikuyu community had the largest representation, totaling 29,978 officers in public service, whereas marginalized communities like the Gosha, Konso, and Leysan only had two officers each.
During the Committee’s questioning, Muchiri emphasized that the commission had achieved significant progress in promoting regional diversity and ethnic inclusiveness, as required by the law.
Muchiri informed the committee that there was an increase in the representation of ethnic communities in the 2023 and 2024 financial years compared to 2016 and 2017, with 39 communities having normal representation, up from 33. The improvement amounted to 18. 2 percent.
Muchiri highlighted the incorporation of diverse measures in the recruitment process to promote inclusivity. This includes factors such as the representation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), gender diversity, and the consideration of candidates’ country of origin.
– Muchiri explained that the Commission deemed it wise to take into account a candidate’s county of origin during a recruitment process. This is to ensure a fair distribution of opportunities among all counties that have a common ethnic community, avoiding any potential disadvantage.
After the meeting, the lawmakers instructed the commission to promptly act on resolving these differences and guaranteeing equitable representation for all communities in the future.
In November 2023, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) annual report disclosed that the Kalenjin community held the highest portion of jobs among ethnic tribes, standing at 15. 83%, with the Kikuyu community following closely at 15. 77%.
The NCIC report revealed that employment opportunities in Kenya were primarily held by dominant communities. Furthermore, the report highlighted that ten tribes accounted for 89 percent of the total jobs in the country.
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