MPs Oust EPZA CEO After Heated Clash Over Dodged Questions
Members of Parliament dismissed the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) due to insufficient answers to their inquiries.
During a tense meeting led by Kamukunji MP Yussuf Haji at the new Bunge Towers, CEO Richard Omelu was asked to leave and return better prepared.
Omelu was criticized for not adhering to legal requirements ensuring fair employment of staff from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
“The report you have tabled before the Committee shows a glaring imbalance in the distribution of employment slots among ethnic communities in the country,” Haji stated.
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The report revealed that EPZA’s workforce is composed of employees from just 16 out of Kenya’s 47 ethnic groups.
Additionally, it found that the CEO has shown bias against young people, as only 38 individuals from the youth demographic have been hired out of 173 total staff members, which represents just 21.97%.
Furthermore, the report noted that People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) were absent from EPZA’s workforce.
“Why is it that out of 173 staff, PLWDs have a representation of only 3.46 percent against at least five percent required by the law?” posed the Nakuru County MP Liza Chelule.
Omelu was unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the inconsistencies in employment within the company. His answers frustrated the MPs on the Cohesion Committee, who then instructed him to leave the chambers.
MPs Oust EPZA CEO After Heated Clash Over Dodged Questions