Hiring freeze leaves Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund unable to meet diversity targets
The Committee Chairperson also called on the Fund to intensify its public awareness initiatives, noting that many Kenyans remain unaware of its existence and functions.
The ongoing government freeze on employment has stalled the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund’s (SASDF) efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity within its workforce.
SASDF told the National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities that the freeze has prevented it from recruiting more staff, including persons living with disabilities, leaving many diversity targets unmet.
The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer, Nuh Ibrahim, said that although the organisation reflects Kenya’s diversity, the hiring embargo has limited its ability to correct imbalances in staff representation.
“All our 38 employees were seconded from other agencies within the ministry. I am the first substantive CEO of this young organisation,” he told the Committee, chaired by Mandera West MP Adan Yussuf Haji.
Nuh highlighted that no new staff have been recruited due to the freeze, including individuals living with disabilities.
“We have not conducted any staff recruitment due to the hiring freeze. For instance, the Fund has only one employee living with disability. We have not hired more to comply with the law because of the freeze,” he said.
He added that the Fund has already reviewed its Human Resource instruments and is awaiting approval to support future recruitment that will promote ethnic balance and provide opportunities for persons living with disabilities (PLWDs).
To enhance accessibility for PLWDs, Nuh said the Fund has implemented infrastructural improvements in compliance with the law.
“We have installed high-level lifts, constructed ramps, and made lavatories accessible to persons with disabilities,” he said.
Committee members Yussuf Hassan (Kamukunji) and Liza Chelule (Nakuru County) urged the Fund to prioritise PLWDs once the government lifts the employment freeze.
“When the government resumes hiring, give priority to PLWDs and expand the number of vacancies to comply with the law,” Yussuf said.
The Committee Chairperson also called on the Fund to intensify its public awareness initiatives, noting that many Kenyans remain unaware of its existence and functions.
“According to the Auditor General’s report tabled before the Committee, the Fund lacks visibility among the public. You need to invest in outreach and awareness campaigns to address this,” Adan said.
Nuh assured the Committee of his commitment to implement measures that will enhance employment diversity and expand access to opportunities for special interest groups.
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