Rethink EAC’s quota system jigzaw puzzle

The East African Community (EAC) recently advertised 40 lucrative jobs — at least six posts per member state. But hold your horses: Its quota system has an embedded principle of equitable representation of all citizens in its organs and institutions.

The recruitment is based on merit, equal representation by level and grade, applied on all approved projects and organs. Where a partner state is unable to provide a suitable candidate, the position is open to the rest; where a country has exhausted its quota, the secretary-general may seek dispensation to allow a maximum of two slots; and there must be no dominance of staff from one partner state in one department.

The policy relies on the principle that citizens of the six partner states should enjoy the same rights to job opportunities arising from the integration. Simply put, equity overrules merit.

Problematic equation

The bid for a merit-equity balance boils down to a problematic equation that requires competence-based recruitment, relying on merit of a candidate, gender balance and geographical representation to ensure both equitable distribution of the professional and general staff but maintain equity. Recruitment must reflect equal representation of the partner states.

The challenge is that not all stakeholders, especially the jobseekers, understand it. The call for applications did not specify which candidates from specific countries should apply for the jobs, leaving jobseekers on a guessing game.

The second dilemma lies in the mystical merit-equity balance. What happens when, for example, a state fulfils all its quota positions but has the most qualified candidate for a position?

In addition, there are allegations of political polarisation of the positions and gripes of corruption and favouritism amongst the selectors.

The EAC should rethink the equity principle.

Ms Odhiambo is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. [email protected].