Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu is pushing for a major policy shift aimed at embedding inclusion and equity in hiring practices across public institutions.
Speaking during a session with the National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities, Gathungu advocated for amendments to the National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008, that would better reflect the principles of fairness and national unity outlined in the Constitution.
Gathungu expressed concern that the current legal framework does not sufficiently empower public institutions to practice equitable hiring, particularly for marginalized groups and entry-level positions.
“These recommendations encourage public institutions to go beyond mere compliance, which is the spirit of the Constitution,” she said, underscoring the need for public agencies to embrace diversity as a functional value rather than a box to tick.
Her proposals, which she was asked to formally submit by Committee Chairperson Adan Yussuf Haji, come as part of an ongoing inquiry into how the Office of the Auditor-General is meeting employment diversity requirements.
Central to her proposed amendments is the inclusion of persons living with disabilities and those in lower job cadres. Gathungu highlighted the practical difficulties that many public institutions face in attracting a diverse pool of applicants for support roles often resulting in hires being drawn from the local community.
“Although the Act provides for affirmative action, these challenges make it difficult for public institutions to fully comply with its requirements,” she explained.
To tackle this disparity, Gathungu is proposing the introduction of a reservation threshold for lower job grades, modeled on similar provisions in public procurement laws. This would represent a shift from the current stipulations under Section 7(2) of the Act, and is aimed at ensuring that inclusivity reaches every level of government employment.
