Tribalism and Nepotism Exposed: Nairobi County Workforce Dominated By One Tribe

In a damning revelation, the Auditor General’s report for the year ending June 2023 has unearthed alarming disparities within the Nairobi City County government, shedding light on the pervasive issues of tribalism and nepotism under the administration of Governor Johnson Sakaja, operating within William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza government.

The report's focus on the executive side exposes a troubling reality: out of 13,354 employees, a staggering 40 per cent hail from a single ethnic community. This glaring imbalance not only undermines the principles of inclusivity but also stands in direct violation of the National Cohesion and Integration Act of 2008, which mandates public institutions to reflect the diversity of Kenya's population in their workforce.

The Act unequivocally states that no public establishment should employ more than one-third of its staff from the same ethnic community. Yet, the Nairobi County government, under the Kenya Kwanza regime, has blatantly disregarded this mandate, perpetuating ethnic favoritism at the expense of meritocracy and equal opportunity.

This revelation comes hot on the heels of a recent court ruling regarding the Kenya Revenue Authority's recruitment process, which similarly exposed the dominance of two specific communities in key positions. Such systemic biases not only undermine the principles of fairness and equity but also erode public trust in the government's commitment to fostering national unity.

Moreover, the audit report highlights glaring discrepancies in salary distribution, further exacerbating the issue of inequality within the workforce. Shockingly, 256 employees are earning net salaries that fall below one-third of their basic wages, in direct contradiction to established human resource policies.

The failure to adhere to these policies not only compromises the financial well-being of employees but also reflects a broader pattern of mismanagement and disregard for regulatory frameworks under the Kenya Kwanza government.

Additionally, the report exposes the county's failure to comply with the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2003, further compounding issues of marginalization and exclusion. With only 1.25 per cent of employees classified as persons with disabilities, far below the recommended 5 per cent threshold, it is evident that the government's commitment to inclusivity remains superficial at best.

In light of these revelations, it is imperative for the Kenya Kwanza government, led by William Ruto, to take urgent and decisive action to address these systemic failures. Meaningful reforms must be implemented to ensure transparency, accountability, and equal opportunity within the public sector.

Failure to do so not only perpetuates societal divisions but also undermines the government's legitimacy and credibility in the eyes of