The Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration has commended the Social Health Authority (SHA) for maintaining ethnic diversity in its workforce, following concerns over alleged bias in recent recruitment.
During a session held at Bunge Tower on March 24, 2026, the committee, chaired by Marsabit Senator Mohamed Said Chute, reviewed a detailed report presented by SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi.
The report outlined the ethnic composition of the Authority’s staff and addressed allegations that hiring had favoured a single community.
Lawmakers had summoned SHA officials to provide clarification after claims emerged questioning the fairness of its recruitment processes.
However, after reviewing the data, the committee expressed satisfaction with the Authority’s adherence to inclusivity and legal requirements.
“The committee is satisfied that the Social Health Authority has upheld fair employment practices and made deliberate efforts to include communities that have historically been marginalised,” Senator Chute said.
In her presentation, Mwangangi told legislators that SHA had complied with constitutional and statutory provisions governing diversity in public service.
She noted that the Authority’s workforce reflects a broad cross-section of Kenya’s ethnic communities.
“No single ethnic group exceeds the legal threshold of one-third of the total workforce, in line with the National Cohesion and Integration Act,” Mwangangi assured the committee.
According to the report, SHA’s staff is drawn from 40 different ethnic communities, underscoring what the Authority described as a deliberate strategy to promote national cohesion and integration.
The data showed that the largest representation comes from the Kalenjin community at 17.7 per cent, followed by Somali at 14.0 per cent, Kikuyu at 12.1 per cent, and Kamba at 10.5 per cent.
Other communities represented include Kisii at 6.4 per cent, while Luhya and Luo communities each account for 7.8 per cent of the workforce. Smaller and marginalised groups also form part of the staff, though in lower proportions.
Mwangangi said the diverse composition reflects SHA’s commitment to the principles of equality, non-discrimination and inclusivity as enshrined in the Constitution.
“By incorporating staff from a wide range of communities, SHA aims to strengthen public trust, promote fairness in employment, and ensure that the institution mirrors the rich social fabric of the nation,” she said.
The committee noted that adherence to ethnic balance is critical in fostering national unity, particularly in public institutions tasked with delivering essential services such as healthcare.
The review comes at a time when public scrutiny of recruitment practices in state agencies has intensified, with lawmakers and oversight bodies calling for greater transparency and accountability.
Senators emphasised the need for continued vigilance to ensure that all public institutions comply with the law and uphold diversity in their staffing.
The SHA, which plays a key role in the country’s healthcare system, said it would continue to refine its recruitment processes to maintain fairness and inclusivity while attracting qualified personnel from across the country.
The committee urged the Authority to sustain its efforts and serve as a benchmark for other institutions, noting that equitable representation remains a cornerstone of national cohesion and effective public service delivery.