Universities Under Scrutiny for Ethnic-Based Recruitment Practices
A recent report has thrust university managers into the spotlight for perpetuating ethnic-based recruitment, revealing widespread violations of equal employment opportunities laws across public institutions.
The audit has implicated at least 21 public universities, including in the hiring of top managers, showing a pattern of the dominant community within the university’s location receiving the majority of jobs.
Legal Breaches
According to Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, the management of these universities breached laws that prevent any single community from holding more than 33 percent of jobs in government entities.
The National Cohesion and Integration Act of 2008 explicitly mandates that no public institution shall employ more than one-third of its personnel from a single ethnic community.
Key Violations
Kenyatta University has emerged as a significant violator, with 1,185 Kikuyus making up 42 percent of its workforce, leaving only 1,661 jobs for other communities. Despite ongoing issues, no efforts have been made to rectify this imbalance.
Kibabii University showed an extreme case where Luhyas accounted for 75 percent of the 430 employees. Similar patterns were noted at Alupe University (38 percent Luhya) and Taita Taveta University (37 percent Taita).
Friends University Kaimosi had 67 percent of its 209 staff from the Luhya community, while Maseno University had 721 out of 1,131 employees as Luos. At Rongo University, Luos occupied 73% of the positions, while Tom Mboya University College had 66% Luo employees.
Broader University Impact
Other universities such as Kirinyaga, Dedan Kimathi, and Murang’a also showed significant ethnic imbalances, with the Kikuyu community holding a majority of jobs. Meru University had 65 percent of its workforce from the local ethnic community, and Kisii University had 70 percent of its staff from the Kisii community.
Moi University had 62 percent Kalenjin employees, while University of Eldoret had 57 percent Kalenjin. Bomet University College had 45 percent from the Kalenjin community, and Machakos University had 60 percent of its staff from the Kamba community. Garissa University had 60 percent of its staff from the Somali community.
JKUAT reported 45 percent of its 2,583 staff from a single community, with Maasai Mara and Turkana University each having 35 percent of staff from the local communities.
Public Service Commission’s Response
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has flagged the overrepresentation of specific communities, particularly the Kikuyu and Kalenjin, who have held the presidency since Independence. In a bid to address this imbalance, the PSC seeks to halt the recruitment of dominant tribes until an optimal ethnic balance is achieved.
The PSC’s Affirmative Action Regulations, 2024, stipulate that dominant tribes would only be considered after underrepresented communities are hired. The commission may recommend non-competitive recruitment for these communities to achieve fair representation in state jobs.
National Assembly Findings
A report by the National Assembly National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity Committee corroborated the Auditor General’s findings, showing that parastatal bosses have filled their organizations with their tribesmen. The report highlighted that five communities—Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Luhya, Luo, and Kamba—dominate jobs in state agencies.
Summary Table of Key Findings
| University | Dominant Community | Percentage | Total Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenyatta University | Kikuyu | 42% | 2,846 |
| Kibabii University | Luhya | 75% | 430 |
| Alupe University | Luhya | 38% | N/A |
| Taita Taveta University | Taita | 37% | N/A |
| Friends University Kaimosi | Luhya | 67% | 209 |
| Maseno University | Luo | 64% | 1,131 |
| Rongo University | Luo | 73% | N/A |
| Tom Mboya University College | Luo | 66% | 90 |
| Kirinyaga University | Kikuyu | 71% | 259 |
| Dedan Kimathi University | Kikuyu | 66% | N/A |
| Murang’a University | Kikuyu | 60% | 318 |
| Meru University | Kikuyu | 65% | 406 |
| Kisii University | Kisii | 70% | N/A |
| Moi University | Kalenjin | 62% | 2,500 |
| University of Eldoret | Kalenjin | 57% | 1,169 |
| Bomet University College | Kalenjin | 45% | N/A |
| Machakos University | Kamba | 60% | 482 |
| Garissa University | Somali | 60% | 208 |
| Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture | Various | 45% | 2,583 |
| Maasai Mara University | Maasai | 35% | 622 |
| Turkana University | Turkana | 35% | N/A |
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Future Implications
The findings highlight a significant challenge in achieving ethnic balance in public universities, necessitating urgent measures to ensure fair representation. The PSC’s recommendations and the ongoing scrutiny may pave the way for more equitable recruitment practices in the future.
Universities Under Scrutiny for Ethnic-Based Recruitment Practices
