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"id": 1457010,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1457010/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Lomenen",
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"speaker": {
"id": 2940,
"legal_name": "James Lomenen Ekomwa",
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, despite the Public Service Commission's (PSC) effort to improve inclusivity, much work remains the Constitution of Kenya in Articles 54 and 56 mandates affirmative action and professional representation to ensure that marginalized groups have access to employment opportunities. However, these measures have not been adequately implemented for Turkana County and other similarly marginalized communities. Turkana County is one of the largest counties in Kenya with a population of 926,976 according to the 2019 Census. Despite its size and the potential of its people, Turkana County is significantly underrepresented in national Government positions and the public service. This underrepresentation hampers the growth and development of the region and perpetuates economic disparities, causing the community to lag behind others due to inequality in national affairs. Recent data reveals significant imbalance in the representation of various communities in the public service. Out of 252,007 civil servants employed by the PSC, some of the marginalized communities, including the Konso, Dahalo, Makonde, Aweer, Wayyu, El Molo, Ogaden, Suba, Dorobos, Njemps, Taveta, Burji, Borana, Gabra, Rendile, Garre, Daasanach, Somali, Sakuye, Maasai, Turkana, Samburu and Pokot, have been marginalized and underrepresented. In contrast, some other communities account for nearly half of all civil servants holding 96,248 positions. These statistics highlight a systematic issue that requires urgent corrective measures. This underrepresentation has a ripple effect on aforementioned communities, exacerbating poverty and limiting access to opportunities that could lead to other economic and social development. Their lack of representation in national institutions contributes to a cycle of deprivation that affects generations. Kenya cannot effectively tackle its National Poverty Index without implementing affirmative measures to include these underrepresented communities in opportunities. Noting the need to advocate for an inclusive and prosperous Kenya, I urge the Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration, in conjunction with the relevant Government institutions, to consider undertaking the following actions to look into this matter- (i) Review employment policies to ensure that public service recruitment processes are equitable and provide fair consideration to individuals from marginalized and underrepresented communities mentioned above. (ii) Establish or implement clear affirmative action, targets and measures to increase the representation of marginalized and underrepresented in public service roles. (iii) Promote active participation by encouraging individuals from the marginalized and underrepresented communities to participate in public service recruitment through outreach and information campaigns. (iv) Develop robust mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on the progress of affirmative action initiatives to maintain transparency and accountability. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}