The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) finds itself in a precarious position as its ongoing recruitment of cadets and rangers faces cancellation amidst allegations of non-compliance with the law and regional bias.
Documents presented to parliament by KWS Director General Erustus Kanga reveal a concerning pattern in the composition of the workforce, with the Kalenjin community comprising 16.15 percent (745) of the current 4,612 employees, followed closely by the Kikuyu community at 15.52 percent (716), Kamba at 9.15 percent (422), Luo at 8.76 percent (404), and Luhya at 7.29 percent (336).
The ongoing recruitment drive aims to enlist 1,500 officers, including 1,350 rangers and 150 cadets (assistant wardens).
However, the National Assembly Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity has expressed concerns about potential disenfranchisement of other Kenyan communities, particularly questioning the decision to conduct the recruitment at the county level rather than the sub-county level.
Committee Chairperson, Mandera West MP Yusuf Haji, raised apprehensions that the county-level recruitment process could exclude deserving candidates who may face challenges attending recruitment exercises at their county headquarters due to financial constraints.
“Why did KWS opt to undertake the recruitment of cadets and rangers at the county level instead of the sub-county level, especially when other uniformed agencies have been conducting theirs at the sub-county level?” questioned Mr. Haji.
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge further criticized KWS officials, accusing them of centrally managing the recruitment process from their headquarters in Lang’ata Road, Nairobi, and allocating slots to counties without due consideration for equitable representation.
“For instance, out of the eight sub-counties in Nyeri, KWS recruited only one woman,” highlighted Mr. Mathenge, underscoring disparities in gender representation.
As the recruitment process comes under scrutiny, stakeholders call for transparency, fairness, and adherence to legal provisions to ensure equal opportunities for all Kenyans seeking employment within the wildlife conservation sector.
