Changes loom in government as PSC announces recruitment of principal secretaries

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has advertised positions for principal secretaries fuelling speculation of a looming shakeup in President William Ruto's administration.

This comes a day after the current PSs and the Cabinet Secretaries signed performance contracts at the State House in Nairobi.

However, in the advertisement published in the local dailies, the PSC does not specify the departments that require principal secretaries.

Instead, PCS chairperson Anthony Mwaniki Muchiri said that a vacancy had risen after various reassignments.

"Following various reassignments within the senior ranks of the Executive, a vacancy has arisen within the ranks of Principal Secretaries,” reads the Wednesday advert.

The PSC advert indicates a principal secretary will be in charge of the administration of a state department and details the duties they will be responsible for.

"Article 155(3)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, mandates the Public Service Commission to recommend persons for nomination and appointment as Principal Secretaries by the President. Pursuant to this constitutional provision, the Public Service Commission invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for the position of Principal Secretary," reads the advertisement.

Those seeking the position of principal secretary should apply by December 4, 2024.

"Women, minorities, the marginalised and persons living with disability are encouraged to apply," the advert says.

The applicants are expected to get clearance from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

They should also be cleared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), which provides a certificate of good conduct, and have a clearance from the Credit Reference Bureau.

The interested persons must hold a degree from a university recognised in Kenya and have at least ten 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. PSC said they should also possess general knowledge of the organisation and functions of government.

The commission said all applications must be accompanied by copies of relevant academic and professional certificates and transcripts, national identity card or passport, testimonials and other relevant supporting documents.

"Scanned copies of these documents must accompany an online application," it added.

To submit, the applicants are advised to either hand-deliver the applications to the Office of the Secretary/CEO located on the 4th Floor of Commission House, off Harambee Avenue, or post them to the Commission's address.

Muchiri said the names of all applicants and those shortlisted will be published in the print media after the closure of the advert.

Unconfirmed reports have hinted that some of the principal secretaries who are on the chopping board include those allied to the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The reports also indicate that President Ruto is targeting PSs and parastatal chiefs to replace some with individuals from Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement.

This is in a bid to continue the broad-based government initiative.

The reports say Odinga is pushing for a share of at least 25 positions.