A Senate report has exposed 32 counties for violating the law by hiring heavily from single ethnic communities, with Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet and Kirinyaga named as the worst offenders.

The report shows that in these counties, more than 90 per cent of public workers belong to one ethnic group — far above the legal limit of 70 per cent.

The State of the Nation Report by the Senate’s National Cohesion Committee reveals that counties have become ethnic strongholds, where minorities are locked out of public jobs and in some cases excluded from basic government operations.

Bomet tops the list, with 97.28 per cent of its workforce from the Kalenjin community. It is followed by Elgeyo Marakwet (96.30 per cent Kalenjin), Kirinyaga (96 per cent Kikuyu), Nandi (95.67 per cent Kalenjin), Nyamira (95 per cent Kisii) and Nyandarua (95.57 per cent Kikuyu).

Other counties in the same bracket include Kisii (94.3 per cent Kisii), Kericho (93.3 per cent Kalenjin), West Pokot (93.57 per cent Kalenjin), Nyeri (93.66 per cent Kikuyu) and Wajir (93.1 per cent Somali).

Also flagged are Makueni (92.63 per cent Kamba), Kitui (90 per cent Kamba), Murang’a (93.7 per cent Kikuyu), Baringo (92.93 per cent Kalenjin), Meru (90 per cent Meru), Kakamega (90.68 per cent Luhya) and Vihiga (89.79 per cent Luhya).

Other devolved units with over 80 per cent dominance include Kiambu (86 per cent Kikuyu), Turkana (83.66 per cent Turkana), Uasin Gishu (85 per cent Kalenjin), Bungoma (83.6 per cent Luhya), Kisumu (87.69 per cent Luo), Homa Bay (76.98 per cent Luo) and Migori (71.77 per cent Luo).

Laikipia (70.6 per cent Kikuyu), Kajiado (70.53 per cent Maasai), Mandera (81.4 per cent Somali), Samburu (76.65 per cent Samburu), Garissa (80.15 per cent Somali), Kwale (75.2 per cent Mijikenda) and Kilifi (79 per cent Mijikenda) are also on the list.

The report warns that in some counties, public business such as executive meetings is carried out in the dominant ethnic language, pushing minorities further to the margins.

“The numbers paint a grim picture of entrenched exclusion and deep-rooted marginalisation of minorities within counties dominated by large ethnic blocs,” the report reads.

The Senate committee says this practice violates the County Governments Act, which states that no more than 70 per cent of employees should come from one ethnic group.

It warns that continued ethnic hiring threatens national cohesion and undermines the principles of equity, fairness and inclusivity as outlined in the constitution. The committee is calling for immediate corrective measures.

On the positive side, the report praises Marsabit, Lamu, Nairobi, Mombasa, Isiolo, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Embu, Busia and Taita Taveta for having the most diverse public service teams.

Marsabit leads in diversity, with the dominant community occupying only 34.20 per cent of public service positions, followed by Lamu (37.35 per cent), Nairobi (37.82 per cent), Mombasa (39.75 per cent), Isiolo (45.40 per cent), Nakuru (47.31 per cent), Trans Nzoia (54.90 per cent), Embu (55.41 per cent), Busia (58.78 per cent) and Taita Taveta (66.96 per cent).