Mombasa: The National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities has raised concerns over serious staffing shortages and failure to meet constitutional disability employment thresholds at the Coast Development Authority (CDA), following a week-long fact-finding mission along the Coast region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the committee, chaired by Mandera West Member of Parliament Adan Yussuf Haji, engaged with CDA to assess whether constitutional rights, particularly for persons with disabilities, were being upheld on the ground. Haji emphasized the importance of verifying that the rights guaranteed by the Constitution are being practically implemented.
The Committee found that CDA has not met the mandatory five per cent employment threshold for persons with disabilities as required by the Constitution. While the authority was commended for improving access to services for persons living with disabilities, the committee noted that some facilities still require adjustments to fully meet accessibility standards.
Beyond disability rights, the Committee identified a critical staffing deficit at CDA. This shortage is largely attributed to a Cabinet directive that froze hiring, promotions, and staff replacements across several state authorities, pending a government decision on which agencies would be merged or dissolved. Since the directive took effect, the authority has lost staff through retirement, death, redeployment, and resignation.
Haji also expressed his opposition to the proposed dissolution of some regional development authorities, advocating for the survival of institutions like the Ewaso Nyiro Development Authority and CDA, which he believes play crucial roles in serving local communities.
The committee also assessed gender balance, ethnic diversity, and compliance with the 30 per cent procurement policy for youth, women, and persons with disabilities during its engagements with CDA and other institutions, including the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, and the Kenya Maritime Authority.
Haji announced that the committee would compile a comprehensive report with firm recommendations to be formally submitted to the Head of Public Service, urging urgent action to fill vacant positions across affected authorities. He stressed the necessity of human resources for the delivery of services, highlighting the report’s importance in addressing the staffing crisis.
Source: Kenya News Agency
