KRA Discloses 57% Of New Jobs Were Handed To 2 Ethnic Communities: "There Could Have Been Interference"

• KRA acting commissioner-general Rispah Simiyu disclosed 788 out of 1406 revenue service assistants recruited in June were handed to the Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities
• From the 788 positions, Kalenjins took 403 slots, while the Kikuyus hired were 385, as the rest of the communities took 43%
• Mohammed Chute, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunities and Regional Integration, described the exercise as unacceptable

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has revealed the largest share of new jobs at the agency were handed to two ethnic communities.

What's percentage of Kalenjins in KRA jobs?

KRA acting commissioner-general Rispah Simiyu disclosed 788 out of 1406 revenue service assistants recruited in June were handed to the Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities.

From the 788 positions, Kalenjins took 403 slots, while the Kikuyus hired were 385. President William Ruto is a Kalenjin, while his deputy Rigathi Gachagua is a Kikuyu.

According to Daily Nation, the rest 43% of the jobs were taken by other tribes, including Luhya (134), Luo (76), Kenyan Somali (71), Kamba (64), and Meru (55).

"I agree this is a sensitive issue. There could have been political interests and pressure. But there were certain ways of ensuring moderation in the recruitment process. Some communities were deliberately recruited," Simiyu disclosed.

The Star reported that other jobs went to Kisii (43), Maasai (42), Embu (18), Borana (12), Teso (12), Mijikenda (11) and Turkana (11).

What was Senate's reaction to KRA jobs?

Mohammed Chute, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunities and Regional Integration, described the exercise as unacceptable.

He said that he was unhappy as a member of the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

"I am a member of UDA. This is bad politics," he said.

Babu Owino's concerns on KRA jobs

In June, Members of Parliament (MPs) led by Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino demanded that KRA furnish them with a list of the newly recruited staff at the customs department.

The National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers wanted KRA to release the list of successful candidates and explain the criteria used to employ them.

MPs sought to know if KRA employed the staff fairly and whether Kenyans nationwide got a chance.

"Did you just recruit from Nairobi or you extended to other places," Babu posed.

Pamela Ahago, the acting commissioner for customs and border control expounded that the vacancies were open to all Kenyans.

She disclosed successful applicants had already reported for training in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county.