Kenya Pipeline Company on the spot over employment inequality
By Joel Masibo, September 16, 2025The Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration has put the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) and the Geothermal Development Company on the spot over the employment equality in their hiring system.
On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the committee chaired by Senator Said Mohamed Chute of Marsabit interrogated the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) and the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) over inclusivity and equal opportunities in the two state corporations.
KPC Managing Director Joe Sang emphasised his company’s deliberate steps towards inclusion. The Committee, however, noted with concern that four tribes had taken over 60 per cent of employment in the institution.
KPC hiring imbalance
”The report revealed that the majority of employees at KPC come from the Kalenjin, Luo, Luhya, and Kamba communities.
“Sang attributed this to historical employment patterns but assured that, moving forward, the company will adopt a more inclusive approach in its recruitment,” the committee said in a statement.
He also highlighted the integration of new communities into KPC’s workforce and pointed to progress made in creating opportunities for women and persons with disabilities.
Sang acknowledged gaps remain at senior levels but assured the committee that KPC is steadily addressing historical imbalances through fair and transparent recruitment.
On his part, GDC Managing Director Eng. Paul Ngugi defended the company’s record on inclusivity after submitting an appendix detailing GDC’s regional staff representation, showing how employees are drawn from across the country.
Ngugi explained that the figures captured in the appendix demonstrated the organisation’s compliance with constitutional requirements and its efforts to ensure communities in geothermal-rich regions such as Baringo and Nakuru benefit from jobs and contracts.
Senators pressed both corporations to provide more than policy assurances. Senator Daniel Maanzo of Makueni raised concern that senior promotions remain concentrated in a few regions, saying clear disaggregated data was needed to expose hidden inequalities.
Senator Lomenen Joseph of Turkana insisted that marginalised counties must not be sidelined, especially when projects are hosted in their areas, while Senator Kamau Githuku of Nyandarua demanded a full staff audit disaggregated by county, gender, and age to establish whether inclusivity claims were credible.
Meanwhile, the Senate has warned that it will continue to demand accountability until state agencies truly reflect the face of Kenya.
Other senators present included Nominated Senator Beth Syengo, Nominated Senator Betty Montet, and Senator Okiya Omtatah of Busia.