Uasin Gishu Youths Threaten Governor Bii with Impeachment Over Rampant Cronyism in Job Recruitment Scandal
As anger over the situation grows, the youths have vowed to take further action if their concerns are not addressed. They are currently mobilizing support from the public, with plans to gather signatures in a bid to push for Governor Bii’s impeachment
Ken Maswai addresses the media, as the youth call for full transparency and fairness in the county’s recruitment process
A wave of discontent has swept across Uasin Gishu County, as a group of youths staged a protest against what they claim to be an unfair and corrupt job recruitment process by the county government. The contested process pertains to the hiring for 428 advertised positions, a recruitment drive that attracted over 37,000 hopeful applicants, many of whom are qualified graduates. However, the recent appointments have left the majority of these applicants feeling disillusioned and betrayed, with allegations of favoritism and nepotism casting a shadow over the process.
At the forefront of the protest, youth leader Nehemiah Kemboi voiced the group’s collective frustration during a press conference. He expressed deep disappointment with the administration of Governor Jonathan Bii, accusing it of overseeing a biased and opaque hiring process. “The process was not genuine,” Kemboi declared, emphasizing that the distribution of job slots across the county’s sub-counties was unequal and unjust. According to Kemboi, while some areas were only allocated a few job slots, others received over 100 positions, leading to widespread skepticism about the fairness of the selection criteria.
The protesters pointed to several appointments that raised red flags, including that of a candidate known only as “Felix.” This particular case has drawn public attention, with many believing that his appointment symbolizes a larger issue of cronyism and lack of transparency in the process. “We believe Felix’s appointment, and others like it, were influenced by political connections rather than merit,” Kemboi stated, capturing the sentiments of many disenfranchised applicants who had high hopes of securing employment.
The recruitment process began in January, and after months of anticipation, the list of successful candidates was unveiled three months later. However, the announcement has done little to ease tensions, as many applicants feel that the process was tainted by corruption. “It’s been ten months since the job advert was released, and we’re still waiting for justice,” Kemboi added, urging the county government to address the youths’ grievances.
Local activist Ken Masoi echoed these concerns, pointing out that nepotism and favoritism in hiring practices are not isolated to Uasin Gishu but are part of a larger systemic problem across the country. “There is a sickness in this country where it matters more who you know than what you know,” Masoi lamented. He called on Governor Bii to not only reconsider the appointments but also to audit the entire recruitment process to ensure that it is redone in a fair and transparent manner. Masoi also criticized the process for failing to adequately represent minority groups and individuals with disabilities, stating that the recruitment failed to meet basic legal standards for inclusivity.
As anger over the situation grows, the youths have vowed to take further action if their concerns are not addressed. They are currently mobilizing support from the public, with plans to gather signatures in a bid to push for Governor Bii’s impeachment. The protesters are demanding an immediate audit of the recruitment process, as well as a commitment to re-run the selection process in a manner that ensures equal opportunities for all applicants, regardless of their social or political connections.
The ongoing protests highlight a deepening sense of frustration among the youth in Uasin Gishu, many of whom feel marginalized in a county rich in resources and potential but plagued by mismanagement and corruption. The youths believe that the recent recruitment debacle is symptomatic of broader governance issues that must be addressed if the county is to move forward.
The group has also made a passionate appeal to President William Ruto to intervene in the matter, stating that his leadership is critical in restoring integrity to local governance. “We are calling on President Ruto to help us bring back fairness and accountability to Uasin Gishu County,” the protesters stated. They emphasized that the future of the county lies in the hands of its youth, and that the current administration must do more to safeguard the interests of young people who are eager to contribute to the region’s development.
In a final plea, the youth leaders expressed their determination to see justice served. “We want our voices heard. We are the future of Uasin Gishu County, and we deserve better,” they said. Their campaign for fairness and transparency continues to gather momentum, with hopes that the county government and other relevant authorities will take swift and decisive action to rectify the flawed recruitment process. The youths remain steadfast in their demand for a system that values merit and integrity, and their fight is far from over.
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