Senators Demand Answers on Tribal Bias at Central Bank
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The Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration has raised concerns over the ethnic composition of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), pressing Governor Kamau Thugge to explain why nearly half of the bank’s employees come from just two ethnic communities, Kikuyu and Kalenjin.
During a committee session chaired by Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute, lawmakers questioned CBK’s compliance with Article 232 of the Kenyan Constitution, which mandates fair representation of Kenya’s diverse communities in public service.
According to the Senate committee, the CBK workforce shows a major ethnic imbalance, with 24.8% of its employees being Kikuyu and 19.7% Kalenjin. Combined, the two communities account for approximately 44.5% of the institution’s 1,311 staff.
Other ethnic groups represented at the Central Bank of Kenya include the Luo with 139 employees, Kamba with 123, Luhya with 113, Kisii with 90, Meru with 66, Maasai with 31, Taita with 30, Mijikenda with 25, Embu with 17, Kenyan Somali with 13, and Borana with 7 employees.
Communities such as Kuria, Turkana, Pokomo, Ilchamus, and Teso each have fewer than five employees.
Senator Chute labeled the current staffing pattern as “unacceptable,” arguing that it breaches constitutional principles of inclusivity. He further urged the Central Bank to prioritize recruiting from underrepresented communities as part of succession planning, especially as 455 employees aged 51–60 are due to retire soon.
Lawmakers also highlighted that the disparity extends to internship opportunities at the CBK, suggesting that access for minority groups is restricted from the entry level.
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In response, Governor Thugge admitted that the ethnic composition is skewed, attributing the current figures to historical hiring trends. He maintained that the CBK employs individuals from 31 of Kenya’s 46 recognized ethnic groups, representing about 67% of the country’s diversity.
However, he did not provide a specific action plan or timeline for addressing the imbalance, prompting further criticism from committee members for lacking urgency.
Governor Thugge promised that future recruitment, particularly during the upcoming wave of retirements, would aim to correct the ethnic disparities. Still, without concrete strategies or metrics, senators remained skeptical.
Kenya’s 2019 census shows that Kikuyu (17.1%) and Kalenjin (13.4%) communities collectively make up about 30.5% of the population.
The Senate probe adds to broader national debates on ethnicity and public sector equity, a persistent issue that has challenged past and present administrations.
Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.
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