A Facebook post has raised fresh questions about fairness in hiring at Kenya’s Social Health Authority, commonly known as SHA.
The post focuses on a shortlist of 32 candidates invited for interviews for the position of Senior Officer in Claims Management.
According to the shared list, 12 of the shortlisted individuals come from one tribe, representing 37.5 percent of the total.
The post also claims that three tribes together make up 75 percent of all the shortlisted candidates.
This has led to public doubt about SHA’s repeated assurances that its recruitment process reflects the diversity of Kenya.
The list shared online shows a mix of backgrounds, but the numbers suggest a clear concentration.
Twelve candidates are listed under the Somali tribe, while six are from the Kalenjin tribe and another six from the Kikuyu tribe.
The remaining positions are shared among smaller numbers from tribes such as Luo, Luhya, Kamba, Kisii, Borana, Maasai, and Orma, with one or two candidates each.
None of the shortlisted candidates are indicated as persons with disabilities. In terms of gender, the list appears fairly balanced between men and women. Interviews are scheduled across one day, running from morning to evening in early February 2026.
These figures have sparked concern among members of the public who feel that such outcomes do not fully reflect national diversity.
Some people argue that even if candidates are qualified, a heavy concentration from a few communities raises questions about whether equal opportunity is being applied in practice.
Others believe that shortlists should more clearly show regional and ethnic balance, especially in public institutions funded by taxpayers.
This debate comes shortly after similar criticism over SHA’s appointment of county operations managers.
Reports indicated that out of 47 such positions, 14 were awarded to individuals from one community.
These reports triggered accusations of favoritism and tribal imbalance.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who oversees SHA, responded by saying that the appointments were meant to address past injustices where certain communities were excluded.
He stated that recruitment is based on qualifications and maintained that he does not interfere with SHA’s hiring decisions.
He also called a meeting with SHA leadership to address public concerns, showing that the complaints were being taken seriously.
SHA has defended its recruitment process. The authority stated that its recent hires come from 24 different ethnic groups, which it says demonstrates national representation.
SHA has insisted that recruitment is based on merit and inclusivity, and it has dismissed some lists circulating online as incomplete or misleading.
Despite this explanation, public dissatisfaction has continued, particularly on social media where many Kenyans share similar experiences from other government recruitment exercises.
At the center of this issue is a long-standing national challenge of balancing ethnic diversity with merit in public service. The constitution calls for inclusivity so that no group feels excluded, but achieving this balance remains difficult.
With SHA playing a key role in delivering Universal Health Coverage, public trust is important. Any perception of unfairness in recruitment risks weakening confidence in the institution.
