As the country gears towards the commemoration of the International Day of Minority next week, the Yiaku community in Laikipia County have been assured of allocation of government opportunities through affirmative action.
Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, speaking at Kurikuri, Laikipia North sub county said that Yiaku people would get equal share of employment in the public service just like any other communities in the country.
“Despite that the economy has been developing in a slow pace, we have to do affirmative action. When an opportunity arises, people who have been sidelined like Yiaku need to be supported; when we plan for others, we plan for Yiaku too,” said Koskei.
Yiaku, a Cushitic community in Mukogodo Forest, is among the few tribes in the country yet to get recognition as a tribe.
Koskei pointed out that the Yiaku people had the right to employment and to serve in the government and added he was committed to ensuring they get opportunities and take part in nation building.
“I want to assure that in the national government in collaboration with the county government, we are working closely to ensure we promote education in these areas for them to get employment like others. We don’t want discrimination in terms of tribe or the size. We will make sure Yiaku get their fair share of employment,” he said.
The head of public service revealed that through affirmative action, minority communities would also reap and enjoy the fruit of working in government.
He further pledged that they would get their tribe code upon the review of the memoranda presented to him by the Yiaku community.
“We have heard your issues and got the memoranda, we will review them keenly and address the challenges you have pointed out. Issues of coding, we will follow the laid down measures by the government so that you can also get your code,” assured Koskei
In 2010, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Yiakunte language was on the verge of extinction. By then, only nine people could speak the language fluently.
The situation has been on a downward path with only two elders aged 90 and 104 years who can speak the endangered language fluently.
Through their continued effort, the Yiaku community have started a cultural centre inside Mukogodo Forest that serves as a library as well as a classroom, where adults and children can learn the Yiaku language by the help of artificial intelligence for instance an APP which their language has been preserved digitally and AI-enabled for learning and audio-based responses to questions in English, Swahili, or Yiaku .
Chairperson for Gender and Equality Commission, Rehema Jaldesa, promised that their grievances would be presented to the President during the minority day celebration on December 18 next week.
She said that no one would be left behind including women and persons with disabilities.
Koskei was accompanied by Laikipia governor Joshua Irungu, Laikipia North Member of Parliament Sarah Korere, Principal Secretary in charge of Energy Alex Wachira and his counterpart for Agriculture, Jonathan Mueke and Chairperson for Gender and Equality Commission Ms Rehema Jaldesa among others.
Meanwhile, on 18 December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration of the Rights of Persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities to protect and promote minority rights
By Muturi Mwangi
