KENYA
A Kenyan Parliamentary inquiry has revealed a massive ethnic imbalance in the country’s Public Service in clear contravention of legislation.
This means a fresh problem for the Government of President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) as it is legally obliged to correct the situation.
An ethnic audit of some of the country’s high profile and financially stable parastatals — organisations owned or partially owned by the Government — shows them dominated by the big tribes, Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Kamba, Luo and Luhya.
It also emerged that the National Hospital Insurance Fund and the National Social Security Fund, both multi-billion-shilling State Agencies, have been turned into an almost exclusive club for three tribes.
MPs questioned the unchecked dominance of Kikuyus, Kambas and Kalenjins in the two funds when some communities had no representation.
Parliament’s Cohesion and Equal Opportunity Committee has been carrying out an ethnic audit of State Agencies and institutions to ensure they comply with the National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008 on inclusivity.
Inclusivity is part of the nine-point agenda in the Building Bridges Initiative being spearheaded by President Kenyatta and Leader of the Opposition, Raila Odinga.
Some of the other key institutions which Parliament has flagged over suspicious tribal hiring include the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Kenya National Examinations Council and the Kenya National Audit Office.
MPs say the imbalance must be rectified even if it means sacking staff from the over-represented communities.
Nairobi, 17 August, 2019
