A recent report published by the Public Service Commission (PSC) revealed nine Kenyan tribes that have for long been locked out of employment by government ministries and state departments.
Presented by PSC chairperson Anthony Muchiri, he clarified that the nine tribes could only be found to be employed in parastatals.
These nine ethnic communities include Aweer/Waata, Dahalo, Gosha, Konso, Makonde, Nubi, Walwana/Malakote, Wayyu and Kenyan Americans.
“Apart from Dahalo and Kenyan Americans, these ethnic communities are nonetheless represented in parastatals.”
Anthony Muchiri further stated that, in line with the 2019 national census, a total of 36 Kenyan ethnic communities were represented in ministries and state departments.
The report indicated that the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities held an overrepresented margin in the PSC. Out of 75,031 slots in the PSC, Kikuyus took up 16,691 or 22.25% while Kalenjins followed with 10,565 or 14%.
Luhya community came in third with 11.83% followed closely by the Luos with 10.36%. Kambas, Kisiis and Merus were represented by 9.16%, 7.45% and 5.39%.
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Kenyan Europeans and the Hawiyah ethnic community each had 0.0013% of the jobs occupied in ministries and state departments.
Other minority ethnic groups represented in the job arena include the Dasnach Shangil with 5, Elmolo 12, Boni Sanye 16, Sakuye 25, Murulle 34, Kenyan Asian 34, Dorobo 39, Njemps 45, Taveta 66, and Burji 68.
The report aims to tackle the issue of ensuring equal representation of ethnic communities during government recruitment exercises.
“The PSC has initiated Phase II of the affirmative action programmes in all public institutions under its jurisdiction to concretise the gains made on inclusivity process during the 2018/19 to 2021/22 financial year,” he said.