Kenya continues to struggle with ethnic imbalance in public employment, as new findings show that five major ethnic groups control most government positions.
The latest report by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) paints a worrying picture of favoritism and exclusion in State corporations, showing how deeply rooted tribalism remains in the country’s public sector.
According to the NCIC’s 2025 ethnic and diversity audit, the Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Luo, Luhya, and Kamba communities dominate government jobs, accounting for more than 70 percent of all employees in State corporations.
The situation worsens when three more communities the Kisii, Meru, and Mijikenda are added, bringing the total to eight ethnic groups that occupy nearly 90 percent of all positions.
This leaves 37 other ethnic groups sharing just 12 percent of available jobs.
NCIC Commissioner Danvas Makori described the findings as alarming, saying that eight out of the country’s 46 ethnic groups have taken control of the public service. He cited the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as a major example of non-compliance, where 67 percent of employees come from one dominant group.
Makori also called for fairness in job allocation, noting that many qualified Kenyans are sidelined because they lack political connections or influential figures to back them up.
“I’m not against phone calls but call on behalf of wanyonge pia… sio tu watu wakubwa,” he said, emphasizing the need for inclusivity.
NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia echoed the same concerns, warning that Kenya’s unity is at risk if recruitment in the public sector continues to favor specific communities. He said there has been a clear lack of equitable distribution of opportunities, despite years of government promises to promote diversity. Kobia added that where institutions fail to comply, the commission will conduct ethnic audits, even at the county level, to expose bias and ensure accountability.
The report further highlighted that political patronage remains a key driver of inequality. Many appointments, especially in senior roles, are made along tribal lines, often serving political interests rather than merit.
The audit revealed that the Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Luo, and Luhya communities alone hold nearly two-thirds of all CEO positions in State corporations.
Gender imbalance also remains a major issue. The NCIC report found that men make up 62 percent of employees in State corporations, while women occupy just 22 percent of CEO positions, falling short of the constitutional two-thirds gender rule.
Public universities show a similar pattern, with the same five ethnic groups controlling 85.7 percent of all jobs, leaving other communities with less than 15 percent representation.
The Kikuyu community leads overall with 22.9 percent of representation in public employment, followed by the Kalenjin at 15.7 percent, Luo at 15.6 percent, and Luhya at 15.4 percent. The figures reveal that despite several diversity reforms and repeated warnings from oversight agencies, Kenya’s public service continues to reflect deep ethnic divisions.
The NCIC has warned that if these inequalities persist, they could worsen mistrust among communities and erode national unity. The commission insists that equitable hiring and fair representation in public offices are crucial steps toward achieving true cohesion and stability in the country.
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