The Kitui county public service board has been asked to ensure the ongoing recruitment of employees is conducted transparently and in strict adherence to the principles of fairness, equity and regional balance.
The call came from county assembly speaker Kevin Katisya who said leaders are closely monitoring the recruitment exercise. He said all residents should be accorded equal opportunities for employment.
Katisya and minority leader Jeremiah Mutua said the recruitment process must reflect regional inclusivity, gender balance and consideration for marginalised groups, youth and persons living with disabilities.
The county is seeking to fill more than 200 positions.
The leaders maintained that if the exercise fails to meet the legal requirements of equity and representation, the assembly will not hesitate to challenge or reject the outcome.
Katisya and Mutua said public employment should be free from discrimination, favouritism and exclusion.
They added that every corner of Kitui county deserves fair representation in county jobs.
Their remarks come as the board conducts interviews for various positions that were advertised months ago.
The two leaders insisted that job allocations should not favour particular regions but instead reflect the county’s diversity.
Speaking during a church service at Malembwani in Mwingi Central on Sunday, Katisya said equitable access to public employment is a constitutional requirement.
“Regional balance is a legal requirement in any staff recruitment process. We shall scrutinise the exercise, and if it does not adequately cater for marginalised communities, youth and persons with disabilities, then such a recruitment process will be considered irregular and unacceptable,” Katisya said.
He further urged the board to emulate the Kitui county assembly service board, which he said has consistently conducted transparent recruitment processes while ensuring regional and ethnic balance.
Mutua also called on the board to uphold transparency and merit in the recruitment exercise while ensuring that opportunities are fairly distributed across the county.
“We have many vacancies, including positions for nurses and other professionals. What we want to see is a final list of successful applicants drawn from all parts of Kitui. Anything contrary to that would undermine public confidence in the process,” Mutua said.
The leaders said the assembly will review the outcome of the recruitment exercise once it is concluded and take appropriate action should any irregularities be detected.
