This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
On October 16, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration sparked public outrage with its latest appointments to key parastatals. The appointments have been met with widespread criticism, with many feeling that the government is favoring older, less qualified individuals over younger, more deserving candidates.
According to a gazette notice, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani appointed Ms Mary Wambui, a former Othaya MP, as the chairperson of the National Employment Authority. In the same notice, President Kenyatta appointed nine individuals to the State Corporations Advisory Committee, including Mr Jeremiah Matagaro, a long-time retired civil servant, as chairperson.
Despite his illustrious civil service career, however, Mr Matagaro's best years are behind him. The appointments follow a pattern that has come to define the Jubilee administration's modus operandi, where cronies and elderly people are rewarded to the chagrin of the youth.
President Kenyatta's administration has been accused of promoting favouritism and mediocrity in public service, with the consequence being poor delivery. The government has also been criticized for breaching the law by failing to follow the principles of diversity, meritocracy, and fairness in public appointments.
During his presidential campaign in 2013, Mr Kenyatta styled himself as a poster picture of youth empowerment. Now, he is the exact opposite. What has changed?
The President has been urged to listen to Kenyans and stop the bungling that is stirring public rage and is bound to create social unrest. He should revoke the appointments and for those given jobs that they do not deserve, the honourable thing to do is quit.
We are reminded of the living statement by former South African president Nelson Mandela that “there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children”.
