40% of Nairobi County employees are from Kikuyu community - Sakaja

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was on Friday put to task to explain the disparities in ethnic demographics of the employees of the Nairobi City County, where about 40% of the employees including the County Executive Committee Members are from the Kikuyu community.

Appearing before the Senate Cohesion Committee, Sakaja revealed that about 6,000 of the over 16,000 county employees belonged to the Kikuyu community and 15 out of 39 County Executive Committee Members and Chief Officers were from the same community despite the cosmopolitan nature of the county.

The committee however noted that the county had employed more youth in the past two years, bridging the gap of the age demographics of county employees.

“The number of staff we have is 16,321..it’s the biggest staff component in the country in terms of devolution, because we also have the biggest population; we serve 7 million Nairobians during the day and 5 million at night,” he said.

“Out of 16,321, the highest is the mountain at 6,173 from Kikuyu, 2,370 from Luo, 1,954 Kambas, 1,945 Luhyas, 1,360 Kisiis, 899 Kalenjins, 469 Merus, 221 Embus, 144 Maasais, 123 Somalis, 101 Taitas, 76 Mijikendas, 74 Mbeere…”

Sakaja also reiterated his commitment to an inclusive government that incorporates both young and experienced individuals in key positions.

He pointed out that his administration has appointed individuals from diverse age groups, citing examples such as the Lands CECM who joined Nairobi County in 1985, and his Health counetrpart who is under 30 years.

"I believe in young people. I am less than 40 years old as the Governor of Nairobi, but I also believe in drawing wisdom from the old. I have ensured that both young and old are represented in the cabinet," he told the committee.