President William Ruto announced the decision on Thursday during the commemoration of International Minorities Rights Day at State House, Nairobi.
He described the policy as a major step toward correcting historical inequalities in public service hiring and national development.
The policy, officially titled the National Policy on Ethnic Minorities, Indigenous, and Marginalised Communities, is designed to give full effect to Article 56 of the Constitution, which requires the State to protect minority groups and promote their participation in governance and development.
According to President Ruto, the Cabinet’s approval clears the way for the policy to be forwarded to Parliament for debate and adoption. Once approved, it will be implemented through a sessional paper that will guide ministries, state agencies, and county governments.
“This policy provides a clear roadmap to ensure that minorities and marginalized communities are fully included in public service employment, leadership, and economic opportunities,” the President said.
Under the new framework, government institutions will be required to include members of minority and indigenous communities in civil service recruitment. The policy makes inclusion mandatory, rather than optional, in line with constitutional requirements.
President Ruto explained that the policy introduces affirmative action measures in public service hiring, promotions, and public procurement. This means that disadvantaged communities will receive special consideration to help level the playing field.
Beyond employment, the policy also provides for affirmative action in access to government-supported credit and financing, aimed at strengthening the economic capacity of marginalized groups.
Targeted government investment in areas predominantly occupied by minority communities is also a key feature of the policy. The President said the goal is to support local economies and reduce long-standing regional inequalities.
Education forms a central pillar of the policy. President Ruto announced that the government will establish nomadic mobile schools to ensure children from pastoralist and mobile communities can access education without disrupting their way of life.
In addition, the Ministry of Education will allocate Ksh200 million every year to construct, upgrade, and equip schools and colleges in marginalized regions. The funding is expected to improve learning infrastructure in areas that have long been underserved.
Institutional reforms are also part of the policy package. President Ruto announced the elevation of the Minorities and Marginalised Affairs Unit within the Executive Office of the President into a semi-autonomous agency.
The upgraded directorate will have legal and financial authority to coordinate, implement, and monitor all government interventions targeting minority and marginalized communities.
As part of the new structure, a National Council of Ethnic Minorities will be established to strengthen oversight and ensure accountability in the implementation of inclusion policies across government.
“The new directorate will ensure that minority rights are mainstreamed in government planning and that institutions are held accountable for fair hiring and development decisions,” the President said.
He added that the changes will improve coordination between ministries, departments, agencies, and county governments, helping to prevent duplication and policy gaps.
The President noted that many minority communities have for decades faced exclusion from public service, limited access to education and healthcare, and underinvestment in infrastructure. He said the new policy is meant to reverse those trends.
The announcement was welcomed by representatives of minority communities who attended the State House event, with many expressing hope that the policy would translate into real opportunities on the ground.
Once Parliament adopts the policy, all government institutions will be required to align their recruitment, procurement, and development plans with its provisions.
President Ruto concluded by saying that inclusion is not just a constitutional obligation but a moral one, stressing that national development cannot be achieved if sections of the population continue to be left behind.
“This country belongs to all Kenyans, and every community must have a fair chance to serve, grow, and prosper,” he said.
The policy, officially titled the National Policy on Ethnic Minorities, Indigenous, and Marginalised Communities, is designed to give full effect to Article 56 of the Constitution, which requires the State to protect minority groups and promote their participation in governance and development.
According to President Ruto, the Cabinet’s approval clears the way for the policy to be forwarded to Parliament for debate and adoption. Once approved, it will be implemented through a sessional paper that will guide ministries, state agencies, and county governments.
“This policy provides a clear roadmap to ensure that minorities and marginalized communities are fully included in public service employment, leadership, and economic opportunities,” the President said.
Under the new framework, government institutions will be required to include members of minority and indigenous communities in civil service recruitment. The policy makes inclusion mandatory, rather than optional, in line with constitutional requirements.
President Ruto explained that the policy introduces affirmative action measures in public service hiring, promotions, and public procurement. This means that disadvantaged communities will receive special consideration to help level the playing field.
Beyond employment, the policy also provides for affirmative action in access to government-supported credit and financing, aimed at strengthening the economic capacity of marginalized groups.
Targeted government investment in areas predominantly occupied by minority communities is also a key feature of the policy. The President said the goal is to support local economies and reduce long-standing regional inequalities.
Education forms a central pillar of the policy. President Ruto announced that the government will establish nomadic mobile schools to ensure children from pastoralist and mobile communities can access education without disrupting their way of life.
In addition, the Ministry of Education will allocate Ksh200 million every year to construct, upgrade, and equip schools and colleges in marginalized regions. The funding is expected to improve learning infrastructure in areas that have long been underserved.
Institutional reforms are also part of the policy package. President Ruto announced the elevation of the Minorities and Marginalised Affairs Unit within the Executive Office of the President into a semi-autonomous agency.
The upgraded directorate will have legal and financial authority to coordinate, implement, and monitor all government interventions targeting minority and marginalized communities.
As part of the new structure, a National Council of Ethnic Minorities will be established to strengthen oversight and ensure accountability in the implementation of inclusion policies across government.
“The new directorate will ensure that minority rights are mainstreamed in government planning and that institutions are held accountable for fair hiring and development decisions,” the President said.
He added that the changes will improve coordination between ministries, departments, agencies, and county governments, helping to prevent duplication and policy gaps.
The President noted that many minority communities have for decades faced exclusion from public service, limited access to education and healthcare, and underinvestment in infrastructure. He said the new policy is meant to reverse those trends.
The announcement was welcomed by representatives of minority communities who attended the State House event, with many expressing hope that the policy would translate into real opportunities on the ground.
Once Parliament adopts the policy, all government institutions will be required to align their recruitment, procurement, and development plans with its provisions.
President Ruto concluded by saying that inclusion is not just a constitutional obligation but a moral one, stressing that national development cannot be achieved if sections of the population continue to be left behind.
“This country belongs to all Kenyans, and every community must have a fair chance to serve, grow, and prosper,” he said.
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