Kenya Minute.
Sunday, 19 July 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 19 July 2026
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Kenyan press · Organization

Public Service Commission

Also known as: PSC

Public Service Commission — government body handling recruitment, employment, and performance management of public servants, facing criticism over merit-based hiring practices.

2026-04-282026-07-19

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. The Standard

    Zinc, through the Public Service Commission, regulates growth hormones so the civil service grows straight instead of stunted.The allegory is uncomfortable because it is accurate.

    Kenya's governance as a living crop needs constant watering
  3. The Standard

    The court also ruled that the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Attorney General (AG) failed to advise the corporations on the correct way of handling appointments.While restricting the four from performing the CEOs roles for the four agencies, Mohochi compelled the boards

    Court quashes appointment of four parastatal CEOs
  4. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 15-The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has launched a push for improved welfare and greater transparency in the recruitment of government lawyers following high-level talks with the Public Service Commission (PSC).

    LSK Pushes For Better Pay, Greater Transparency In Hiring Of State Lawyers After Talks With PSC
  5. The Standard

    Health and the Council of Governors on June 15 over the delayed transition of UHC staff from contract terms to permanent and pensionable employment.Wachira said Parliament had already allocated funds for the transition, while the Ministry of Health, the Public Service Commission

    Health workers threaten nationwide strike over delayed UHC staff confirmation
  6. The Standard

    He cited a recent Public Service Commission (PSC) audit on irregular recruitment, which he said found qualified applicants locked out while jobs went to people who had either not applied or lacked the required qualifications."This is an office that is supposed to oversee other go

    'It starts from the top': Advocate blames Ruto for culture of lawlessness
  7. The Standard

    In his intended appeal, Dr Kiptalam sought the Supreme Court Dr Kiptalam to pronounce itself with regard to the disciplinary mechanism availed by the County Governments to employees whose terms of service are under the Public Service Commission vis-a-vis the disciplinary mechanis

    Doctor loses bid to recover Sh4.5 million withheld salary
  8. The Standard

    Audio By Vocalize An attempt to secure a managerial position in 2010 through a forged diploma certificate ended up costing a senior accountant 33 years of retirement benefits after termination by Public Service Commission (PSC).

    Forged diploma certificate costs accountant 33 years of retirement benefits
  9. Citizen Digital

    LSK also called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the National Police Service to investigate all reported elector

    LSK opposes calls to postpone Ol Kalou by-election over campaign irregularities
  10. The Standard

    "We also call on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the National Police Service to investigate and prosecute anyone f

    Ol Kalou by-election: LSK raises concerns over alleged electoral malpractice
  11. The Standard

    The recruitment process went on normally in accordance with the Public Service Commission (PSC) regulations.The PSC reportedly concluded its process until successful candidates’ names were submitted to the office of Homa Bay Sub- County Deputy County Commissioner’s office.

    DCI told to investigate irregularities in recruiting assistant chiefs in Homa Bay
Opinion

Kenya's governance needs balance like nutrients in soil

The News

An opinion piece uses agronomy as a metaphor, comparing Kenya's three arms of government (Executive, Legislature, Judiciary) to macronutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) that must exist in harmony for the state to thrive, with any imbalance weakening institutional resilience.

18 July 2026 · The Standard

Yesterday

  1. Kenya's governance needs balance like nutrients in soil

    An opinion piece uses agronomy as a metaphor, comparing Kenya's three arms of government (Executive, Legislature, Judiciary) to macronutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) that must exist in harmony for the state to thrive, with any imbalance weakening institutional resilience.

    18 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 16 July

  1. High Court quashes appointments of four parastatal CEOs

    The High Court has quashed the appointments of four state corporation CEOs — Philip Kiptanui (MTRH), Agnes Kalekye (KBC), Joseph Kamau (Athi Water Works), and Abdalla Mohammed (KNSL) — ruling that Chief of Staff Felix Koskei unlawfully approved them in May 2024 without board authority, declaring the process illegal and unconstitutional.

    16 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 15 July

  1. LSK seeks better pay and recruitment transparency for state lawyers

    The Law Society of Kenya has launched a push for improved welfare and greater transparency in the recruitment of government lawyers following talks with the Public Service Commission. The LSK is seeking non-practising allowances for public service and in-house lawyers and proposes to observe PSC recruitment interviews for legal positions to enhance transparency and professional standards.

    15 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Health workers threaten nationwide strike over UHC staff confirmation

    Health unions have threatened a nationwide strike starting Monday if the Council of Governors does not confirm Universal Health Coverage staff to permanent and pensionable employment. Parliament has allocated funds for the transition, but county governments have delayed the process, leaving thousands of health workers uncertain about their jobs and benefits.

    15 July 2026 · The Standard

  3. Advocate accuses Ruto of setting tone of lawlessness

    Senior Advocate Macharia Njeru has accused President William Ruto of setting a tone of lawlessness for government, saying Kenya's leadership lacks political will to uphold the rule of law. Njeru cited the Public Service Commission's irregular recruitment practices and questioned the independence of the National Police Service, arguing that institutions meant to promote accountability have lost independence to the Executive.

    15 July 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Doctor loses appeal against Kwale County salary withholding

    Dr Samuel Kiptalam, an Anaesthetist at Kwale District Hospital, had his salary of Sh4,536,170 withheld after he declined a transfer to Samburu Sub-County Hospital in 2019 following a theft of a patient monitor at the hospital. A 2022 court ruling awarded him the withheld salary, but according to the headline, he has now lost a bid to recover it on appeal.

    14 July 2026 · The Standard

  2. Accountant loses gratuity after using forged diploma

    Geoffrey Nzyoki, a senior accountant at Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels Limited for 33 years, was terminated by the Public Service Commission after admitting to forging a diploma certificate to secure a promotion in 2010. A court ruled he lost 33 years of gratuity at 31 per cent for every year of service, though he was allowed compensation of one percent pension contribution.

    14 July 2026 · The Standard

Monday 13 July

  1. LSK opposes postponement of Ol Kalou by-election

    The Law Society of Kenya has opposed calls to postpone the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election over alleged campaign irregularities, arguing that voters should not be punished for candidates' misconduct. LSK President Charles Kanjama said the IEBC and enforcement agencies should investigate and prosecute offenders under existing electoral laws rather than deny voters their constitutional right to elect a representative.

    13 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. LSK flags electoral malpractice concerns ahead of Ol Kalou by-election

    The Law Society of Kenya has raised concerns over alleged widespread electoral malpractice in the forthcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, citing reports of voter bribery, misuse of public resources, political intimidation, and violence during the campaign period. The society urged the IEBC to exercise its constitutional mandate independently and reminded political actors that electoral offences are criminal acts undermining constitutional governance.

    13 July 2026 · The Standard

Friday 10 July

  1. DCI to investigate assistant chief recruitment irregularities in Homa Bay

    Human rights defenders have called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to probe alleged irregularities in the recruitment of five assistant chiefs in Homa Bay Sub-county, with successful candidates waiting for appointment letters despite being notified of their selection.

    10 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 9 July

  1. PSC audit prompts national debate on merit-based public recruitment

    An audit by the Public Service Commission into recruitment practices at the Office of the Attorney General found concerns including individuals appointed without applying and unqualified candidates being shortlisted. The opinion piece argues that meritocracy—appointments based on competence, qualifications, and integrity rather than patronage or other unrelated considerations—is fundamental to effective institutions and governance.

    9 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 2 July

  1. NWHSA unveils 2026/2027 roadmap to boost water security

    The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority announced its ambitious roadmap for the 2026/2027 financial year, focusing on completing flagship dam projects, expanding water harvesting programmes and strengthening institutional accountability to improve water security across Kenya.

    2 July 2026 · The Standard

Friday 19 June

  1. Ruto vows to sanction nonperforming public servants without apology

    President William Ruto said his administration is reengineering performance management to measure results rather than activity, and pledged to reward performers while sanctioning nonperformers. He tasked the Public Service Commission to ensure constitutional values become the standard of public service, and said advancement must be based on demonstrated results rather than longevity.

    19 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Ombudsman appoints Naisiae Tobiko as chief executive officer

    The Commission on Administrative Justice appointed Naisiae Paloshe Tobiko as chief executive officer following a competitive recruitment process that received 40 applications and shortlisted 10 candidates. Tobiko brings over 15 years of public service experience, most recently as a county elections manager at the IEBC.

    17 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. EACC chief: technology and collaboration vital to fighting corruption

    EACC Chairperson David Oginde warned that corruption has grown more sophisticated with new technology, and called on anti-corruption agencies to deepen regional cooperation and modernise their tools, including blockchain and artificial intelligence. The EACC hosted the 43rd Heads of the African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities summit in Nairobi and launched Africa's first Anti-Corruption Research Centre.

    17 June 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Constitutional petition on SHA legality moved to Milimani

    A constitutional petition challenging the legality of the Social Health Authority (SHA), digital health systems and public officer medical schemes has been transferred from the High Court in Kiambu to the Constitutional and Human Rights Division at Milimani. The petition, filed by Francis Awino, argues that the healthcare financing structures are operating outside the law.

    9 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 6 June

  1. Public Service Commission fails constitutional mandate on patronage

    An opinion piece argues that Kenya's Public Service Commission has failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to shield the bureaucracy from political patronage. The Public Service remains bloated and inefficient, while the parliamentary committee meant to oversee the PSC has become its enabler rather than its enforcer.

    6 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Lobby group seeks removal of Basic Education PS Bitok

    The Consumers' Federation of Kenya has petitioned the Public Service Commission to remove Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, linking him to an alleged passport scandal, school fire tragedies, and a ghost learners scam.

    3 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Court dismisses assistant chief's challenge to dismissal for fake certificate

    A court has thrown out a suit filed by Zeinab Abdullahi, an assistant chief in Garissa who was dismissed in February 2024 after Kenya National Examination Council found she had not sat for the 2009 KCSE examinations required for her role. Abdullahi had challenged her dismissal as procedurally unfair, claiming she was not given a disciplinary hearing or the right to be heard, but the court rejected her case.

    3 June 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 31 May

  1. Child Welfare Society budget increased to Ksh.500 million

    The Child Welfare Society of Kenya is set to receive an additional Ksh.300 million in the 2026/2027 financial year, raising its budget to Ksh.500 million from Ksh.200 million in the previous year. The National Assembly Committee on Social Protection pushed for the increased funding to strengthen child protection, education, and rescue programmes for vulnerable children.

    31 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Friday 22 May

  1. Health CS extends UHC worker contracts until June 2026

    Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the extension of Universal Health Coverage staff contracts until June 30, 2026, with pending salary underpayments to be settled in the June payroll. The extension was approved by the Public Service Commission, and payroll records are being updated to reflect the changes.

    22 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Adan Mohamed sworn in as KRA Commissioner General

    Former Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed was sworn in on Wednesday as Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority for a three-year term, replacing Humphrey Wattanga. His appointment has been challenged in court by Benard Opere on grounds that Mohamed had exceeded the retirement age of 60 years for public officers.

    20 May 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Court petition challenges Adan Mohamed KRA appointment over age

    A petitioner has filed a High Court case seeking to overturn Adan Mohamed's appointment as KRA Commissioner General, claiming he exceeds the mandatory retirement age of 60 years for public officers and is ineligible under Public Service Commission regulations.

    19 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 18 May

  1. EACC deepens probe into MMUST procurement director appointment

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has intensified investigations into the appointment of Dr. Ezekiel Chirchir Kipkoech as Director of Procurement at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, citing integrity concerns and his past graft-related court cases. The university's Vice Chancellor appeared before EACC investigators and the University Council faces accusations of irregularly recruiting Kipkoech despite questions over his legal troubles and suitability for public office.

    18 May 2026 · Capital News

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Labour and public service agencies seek more funds for 2026/27

    Ministries and agencies under the Departmental Committee on Labour have appealed to Parliament for additional funding in the 2026/27 financial year, warning that current budget allocations are insufficient to sustain critical programmes. The State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development reported a Sh11 billion shortfall between its allocation of Sh13.563 billion and its requirement of Sh25.45 billion.

    13 May 2026 · The Standard

Friday 8 May

  1. Court closes Kenya Prisons recruitment petition after settlement

    The Employment and Labour Relations Court formally closed a petition by Peter Agoro challenging Kenya Prisons Service recruitment criteria after the parties resolved the dispute. Agoro had argued the recruitment advertisement was discriminatory, particularly in requiring a Master's degree for promotion to Inspector of Prisons—a requirement the Public Service Commission acknowledged was inconsistent with the 2014 Revised Scheme of Service, which requires only a bachelor's degree for that rank.

    8 May 2026 · Capital News

  2. Employment court closes Kenya Prisons recruitment criteria petition

    The Employment and Labour Relations Court has marked a petition challenging Kenya Prisons Service recruitment criteria as settled and closed the file. The petitioner, Peter Agoro, had argued that the recruitment criteria for cadet officers, professionals, artisans and technicians were discriminatory toward serving prison officers who had upgraded their academic qualifications while in service.

    8 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 7 May

  1. Petition challenges legality of SHA, Digital Health systems

    A constitutional petition has been filed at the High Court in Kiambu by Francis Awino challenging the legality of the Social Health Authority, digital health systems and public officer medical schemes, alleging they operate outside the law and conduct insurance functions without statutory authorisation.

    7 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Nairobi court halts Maseno University vice-chancellor recruitment

    The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi has temporarily stopped the recruitment of a new Vice Chancellor for Maseno University after Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango challenged the process, claiming she was unfairly excluded from the shortlist despite meeting the January 9, 2026 deadline. Justice Jacob Gakeri granted leave for judicial review proceedings against the Public Service Commission and Maseno University.

    28 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

Public Service Commission — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute