Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has petitioned the Senate to investigate issues affecting Kenyan workers and job seekers, including the growing use of Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) records in recruitment, salary disparities in international organizations, delays in the registration of graduate engineers, and pending payments owed to former sugar company employees.
Sifuna first sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare regarding the increasing use of CRB information by employers as a requirement during recruitment.
The Senator noted that while CRBs were established to help financial institutions assess creditworthiness and manage lending risks, many employers have adopted the practice as a screening tool during hiring.
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He argued that the trend is unfairly locking out qualified job seekers, particularly young graduates, from employment opportunities.
Sifuna asked the committee to explain why employers continue to rely on CRB records during recruitment and what measures are in place to prevent the practice.
“Many employers now require prospective employees to provide CRB reports as part of the recruitment process, a practice that has become widespread despite the original purpose of CRBs being to support financial institutions in assessing creditworthiness and managing lending risks,” Sifuna said.
He also sought clarification on safeguards protecting personal data from misuse and steps being taken to ensure recruitment processes uphold constitutional rights to fair labour practices and equal economic opportunity.
Concerns over pay disparities in international organizations
The Nairobi Senator also requested a separate statement on remuneration disparities between Kenyan and foreign employees working in international organizations, particularly international media houses operating in the country.
He called for an explanation of oversight mechanisms used to enforce the principle of equal pay for equal work.
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Additionally, Sifuna wants a comprehensive audit of salaries, allowances and employment benefits offered by international organizations to determine whether Kenyan workers are receiving fair compensation.
He further urged authorities to implement corrective measures where disparities exist and ensure full compliance with Kenya’s labour laws.
Former Muhoroni Sugar Workers Await DuesIn another request, Sifuna sought answers from the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries over delays in the payment of terminal benefits and salary arrears owed to former employees and retirees of Muhoroni Sugar Company.
According to the Senator, many affected workers continue to face financial hardship despite previous budgetary allocations intended to settle the outstanding payments.
He asked the committee to provide details on funds allocated for the settlement of the arrears, payment timelines, and measures being taken to shield affected workers from eviction and other economic hardships while awaiting compensation.
“Provide details on the budgetary allocations made to settle the outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits, the timelines for payment, and the measures being taken to protect the affected former employees and retirees from eviction and other economic hardships while awaiting compensation,” he said.
Sifuna also requested an update on similar outstanding obligations affecting former employees of Chemelil, Nzoia, Miwani, Mumias and Sony Sugar companies.
Delays in registration of graduate engineers
The Senator further raised concerns over prolonged delays by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) in processing applications for the registration of graduate engineers.
He observed that although the Board’s Service Charter provides for registration within four months, many applicants have reportedly waited for more than ten months despite meeting all the necessary requirements
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Sifuna asked the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing to explain whether the Board is fully constituted and adequately resourced to perform its mandate.
He also sought information on the number of pending applications, reasons behind the delays, timelines for clearing the backlog and long-term reforms aimed at preventing future delays.
The statements are expected to shed light on challenges affecting thousands of Kenyans seeking employment, professional accreditation and long-overdue compensation, while also informing potential policy interventions to protect workers’ rights and promote fairness in employment practices.
