This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
On October 14th, Labor Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani announced the appointment of former Othaya MP Mary Wambui as the head of the National Employment Authority in a gazette notice.
However, Kenyans online have questioned whether the appointment was done on merit and whether Wambui has the capacity to deliver on her new mandate.
Some have expressed concerns over her mysterious academic credentials and whether she has the interest of millions of unemployed youth in the country.
As one social media user posed, "What is this employment authority? Why are we hearing it for the first time? When was it put in place? And what is its mandate?"
Others have pointed out that the appointment of Wambui, who is above retirement age, is an insult to the many jobless graduates in the country.
Established through the National Employment Authority Act 2016, the authority is mandated to increase access to employment for the youth among other roles.
