Kibaki, Raila accused of ethnic profiling in top jobs

MPs condemned ethnic profiling that resulted in qualified individuals being denied top public jobs during a stormy session to consider nominees for a constitutional commission.

They regretted regional balance might be abused to promote tribal lobbyists and handpicking of nominees after sham interviews.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga were also accused of horse-trading in filling new positions, which meant competent candidates without political godfathers stood no chance.

This emerged during debate on a parliamentary report, which recommended that Parliament rejects the nomination of Ms Winfred Osimbo Lichuma as chairperson of the National Gender and Equality Commission.

The House Committee on Labour and Social Welfare was not persuaded with the nomination of Ms Lichuma, who emerged fourth during interviews, on grounds of regional balance.

Prof Maria Nzomo emerged the best, followed by University of Nairobi lecturer Dr Jane Akinyi Dwasi. At position three was lawyer Violet Mavisi.

However, the Executive declined to pick any of the three on the basis of their ethnicity.

Thursday, Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo pushed an amendment to alter the report to endorse Lichuma’s appointment, which was upheld by a narrow vote. However, time ran out before a final vote was taken.

Gichugu MP Martha Karua rejected the tribal considerations saying: "It is not the two ladies on trial. It is the two principals who are on trial. The process is wrong. We are pitting Kenyan professionals against each other. It’s going to affect future generations," Karua said.

Painful

Chairman Lenny Kivuti urged the House to craft better policies and laws on how to handle regional balance.

"Even if the Executive was looking for a Luhya, the top four candidates can be considered Luhya. Therefore, the best ranking candidate should have been nominated," he said.

Belgut MP Charles Keter said applications were invited from the public without stipulating which communities should or should not apply.

"It’s very painful when one is denied a job on the basis of their ethnic background," Keter said.

"We now know the interviews are a camouflage. We need to reform the PSC," he added.

Keter said the President and PM should stop horse-trading on plum appointments.

Water minister Charity Ngilu charged: "If we want to deal with ethnicity, let us start here in Parliament."

"The committee recommends that the nomination of Ms Winfred Osimbo Lichuma as the Chairperson of the National Gender and Equality Commission should be rejected. The committee further recommends that the appointing authority reviews the nomination pursuant to Section 11 of the National Gender and Equality Commission Act 2011," stated the report.

Stories by David Ochami, Steve Mkawale and Alex Ndegwa