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The National Assembly Committee on National Cohesion has raised concern over discrimination in employment of People Living with Disabilities (PWDs) by government institutions in Western region.

The Committee chaired by Mandera West MP Abdi Yusuf Haji questioned managers of the affected institutions over unequal promotions of staff by the public institutions.

Top management of public universities and water companies were among those who appeared before the committee. They were interrogated on imbalance in employment by government institutions in the region.

“The report before us indicates worrying trends in promotions where only members of one community are climbing the professional ladder,” said Haji.

Not sensitive

On employment of PLWDs, the committee observed that most public institutions were not sensitive to such individuals as they discriminated against them.

“In an effort to end this trend the committee may consider stern action on public institutions that do not comply with the law on staff employment, promotions and compliance with the 30 percent rule on procurement reservation to special interest groups,” warned Haji.

Amongst the institutions that appeared before the Committee for interrogation were Masinde Muliro University led by vice chancellor Prof Solomon Shivairo and Maseno University under the leadership of Prof Julius Nyabundi and the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Lake Victoria South and North Water Companies.

However, the committee was impressed that Maseno University was addressing the imbalance in its staff diversity as reports indicated that the number of one community dominating job opportunities had declined from 64 percent to 61 percent.

“The three percent, though minimal, is an indication of the university moving in the right direction,” said Haji.