Nairobi News

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has extended the deadline for application for Principal Secretaries posts by another seven days.

According to PSC Chief Executive Officer Simon Rotich, interested applicants now have seven more days to apply for the positions that are expected to fall vacant following the General Elections held on 9th August 2022.

The move is a relief to interested Kenyans who were making a last-minute rush to beat the Tuesday midnight deadline.

“Interested applicants now have seven more days to apply for the positions that are expected to fall vacant following the General Elections held on August 9, 2022,” Mr Rotich.

The positions were advertised earlier this month (September) by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

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PSC had invited 44 application slots for the PS posts at the beginning of September. After the exercise is concluded, PSC will recommend the parties to be appointed by the President who will then nominate candidates for the posts.

The names of the candidates will then be forwarded to the Parliament for approval. Roles of PSs include coordination and implementation of government projects in State departments. They also oversee the allocation of resources in the counties.

Currently, there are 44 Principal Secretaries serving in different State departments. They usually serve under Cabinet Secretaries who are appointed by the president.

Among elected leaders in the current Kenya Kwanza administration who are speculated to be in President William Ruto’s Cabinet are among others, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Garissa Town Member of Parliament Aden Duale.

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This would call for a by-election in the affected area since the Constitution provides for a CS not to hold any public office at the time of his/her appointment.

Article 155(3) (a) of the Constitution, mandates the PSC to recommend to the President persons for nomination and appointment as Principal Secretaries.

The applicants are expected to get clearance from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). They should also be cleared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and have clearance from Credit Reference Bureau.

The interested persons must hold a degree from a university recognized in Kenya and have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, five years of which should have been in a leadership position or at a top management level in the public service or private sector. They should also meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

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