Nairobi — The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has raised alarm over the exclusion of 10 minority and marginalized ethnic communities from employment in public universities and their constituent colleges, warning that the trend threatens Kenya's diversity and cohesion goals.
In its latest audit of ethnic representation in higher education, the commission revealed that out of 27,596 employees, there was not a single individual from the Dahalo, El Molo, Konso, Gosha, Oromo, Makonde, Malakote (Walwana), Wayuu, Kenyan American, or Kenyan European communities.
"The complete lack of representation of certain ethnic groups denies opportunities to enhance the face of Kenya in these academic institutions," read the report in part.
"This situation highlights a significant setback in promoting ethnic diversity within the higher education sector."
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Likewise, the report found that 50 percent of public universities show a close correlation between the ethnic background of their vice-chancellors or principals and that of the dominant ethnic community in the institutions.
The trend, NCIC noted, raises concerns about inclusivity in hiring and leadership practices.
In 16 universities, the commission found a strong alignment between the ethnic group of the vice chancellor and that of senior staff holding key decision-making roles.
Among the universities highlighted for notable ethnic clustering are Cooperative University, Pwani University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Rongo University, University of Kabianga, Kirinyaga University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kisii University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, University of Eldoret, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
The NCIC urged the Ministry of Education and university councils to take corrective measures to ensure equitable representation across Kenya's diverse communities, in line with the constitutional principles of national unity and equal opportunity.
The findings are part of the NCIC's ongoing review of public institutions under its national cohesion program.
