The Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has reiterated the government’s commitment to uplifting the well-being of marginalized and minority communities by supporting them to have access to quality healthcare services, education, and preservation of their rich cultural heritage.
Speaking in Rumuruti Town, Laikipia County, during the launch of a two-day Cultural and Tourism Festival, Koskei noted that after years of neglect, the Kenya Kwanza Administration has come forward to give all the necessary support, with the establishment of a Directorate of Minorities with fully fledged functional offices.
“Minorities have suffered for a long time, and President Dr. William Ruto directed us to set up a unit for minority and marginalized affairs, aimed to ensure that they also have their office,” said the Head of Public Service.
Among the interventions carried out is the setting aside of an education bursary fund and free registration. to the Social Health Assurance for vulnerable groups.
“The government went step ahead and pledged that the minorities and marginalized must be supported in education through scholarships in partnership with the private sector. Soon you will see officers identifying vulnerable children for sponsorship,” revealed Koskei, adding that the government was keen on issues of gender and minorities in the country.
The Laikipia event, which has brought diverse communities to display their cultural diversity, will now be an annual event as a strategy to promote cultural tourism, as well as co-existence among various pastoral communities that have in the past engaged in cattle rustling.
“Your identity can be through language, food, way of dressing, and living. For instance, there are those who live in groups and others secluded; that’s the culture and identity that shape the country on how to move forward,” noted Koskei.
He revealed that Westernization had brainwashed the African way of living, hence abandoning their culture for fear of being viewed as primitive.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano noted that cultural tourism has the potential to boost the number of visitors into the country, which recorded a steady rise last year, translating to annual earnings. of over Sh500 billion.
“For the past four years, tourists have increased; like in 2025, we had about 2.7 foreigner visitors, and we gained Sh500 billion. The government is incorporating all communities as we undertake our mandate in the tourism sector,’’ said CS Miano.
Leaders from Laikipia County maintained that marginalized communities stand to gain a lot under continued leadership of President William Ruto, with the Head of State having directed massive infrastructural development, and hence called on locals to support his re-election bid next year.
By Muturi Mwangi
