The Government has taken action after the passage of a controversial law by Kiambu compelling public and private institutions and businesses operating in the county to get 70 percent of its workforce from the county and must be locals.

Government Spokesperson Eric Kiraithe castigated the leadership of the county terming the move as retrogressive.

"Our statement should not be seen as an attempt to Micro-manage any County, but we must also point out those things which are retrogressive in terms of greater National goals. The move by Kiambu County Assembly to compel companies to employ 70% of staff from their Counties is retrogressive," Kiraithe stated.

The Government Spokesperson said county governments are public entities and should therefore be able to recognize even our national diversity and reflect it in their public service outfits.

“Ethnicity is not a qualification for employment anywhere. Private entities and businesses are encouraged to employ qualified Kenyans with the professional competence to achieve their respective corporate intent,”  Kiraithe reiterated.

Kiambu county majority leader Antony Ikonya, the mover of the motion, said that it was in line with Article 65 (1) (e) of the County Government Act.

“I note with a lot of concern that Kiambu County has been generous very generous to people who are from outside this county, to an extent that we do this at the expense of our very own,” said Mr. Ikonya.

The law created public outcry from Kenyans which termed the move as a bad precedent that would promote ethnicity and tribalism in the country.