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MPs call for postponement of KWS ranger recruitment over equity concerns

Tiaty Member of Parliament William Kassait Kamket. (Parliament)

By Issa Hussein | 11 Apr 2024

In a notice on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, KWS announced 150 vacancies for cadets (Assistant Warder I) and 1,350 openings for rangers, aimed at enhancing wildlife protection across the country.

Members of Parliament are urging the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to postpone the upcoming ranger recruitment exercise slated to begin next week.

Tiaty MP William Kamket on Thursday requested a statement from the Chairperson of the Department Committee of Wildlife and Tourism regarding the KWS ranger recruitment process.

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Questioning the decision to conduct recruitment at the county level rather than the sub-county level, the MP highlighted concerns about the potential financial strain on recruits forced to travel to county headquarters for the exercise.

"I also request a statement on whether it is feasible to relocate recruitment venues to the sub-county level," inquired the MP.

Several MPs supported the postponement of the exercise until their concerns regarding equity were addressed.

Leader of the minority party and Unguja MP Opiyo Wandayi also called for an urgent suspension of the recruitment.

"As a House, we don't want to be seen as micromanaging the executive, but this issue requires unique intervention," stated Wandayi, emphasizing the need to alleviate the burden on Kenyan youth seeking employment opportunities.

"Punishing unemployed young Kenyans by forcing them to travel long distances for employment is not acceptable," echoed Kikuyu MP and Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichung'wah.

He advocated for conducting the recruitment at the constituency level to enable parliamentary oversight, preventing non-residents from taking opportunities reserved for local youth.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys Boss, directed the Committee Chairperson of Wildlife and Tourism to promptly invite Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Alfred Mutua, to address MPs' concerns.

In a notice on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, KWS announced 150 vacancies for cadets (Assistant Warder I) and 1,350 openings for rangers, aimed at enhancing wildlife protection across the country.