MPS grilled Public Service Commission over employment imbalance

MPS have raised alarms over the ethnic imbalances in Kenya’s public service, calling for immediate reforms to ensure fair representation of all communities. Members of Parliament, in a heated session on Tuesday, questioned the Public Service Commission (PSC) on why certain communities seem to dominate government jobs, leaving marginalized groups with minimal representation.

The National Assembly Committee on Labour, led by Runyenjes MP Karemba Muchagi, summoned PSC officials to address the stark disparities in government employment. The PSC report revealed that the Kikuyu community holds the largest share of positions, with 29,978 officers in the public service, while communities like the Gosha, Konso, and Leysan have only two officers each.

PSC Chairperson Antony Muchiri acknowledged the imbalance but cited efforts made by the commission to boost inclusivity. He reported an 18.2% improvement in ethnic representation, with 39 ethnic communities now achieving "normal" representation compared to 33 in 2016. He added that recruitment policies have been adjusted to include more diverse factors, such as regional representation, gender, and disability.

However, MPs insisted that these efforts are insufficient, directing the PSC to take immediate action to bridge the gaps and foster equitable distribution of public service opportunities. "We cannot allow a situation where some ethnicities feel left out in their own country’s public service," said a committee member.

An additional report by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), released in November, confirmed that the Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities occupy the highest percentages of public service jobs at 15.83% and 15.77%, respectively.

The PSC now faces mounting pressure to revamp its recruitment strategies to better reflect Kenya's diverse population and ensure that marginalized communities have equal access to public service employment.