Also known as: PSC
Public Service Commission — Kenya's constitutional body responsible for public service recruitment and discipline, criticized for irregular recruitment practices and failure to shield bureaucracy from political patronage.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
Audio By VocalizeThe recent audit by the Public Service Commission (PSC) into recruitment practices at the Office of the Attorney General has sparked an important national conversation. …
Meritocracy: The foundation of strong institutions and national prosperityThe Standard
… The Authority has also secured approvals from the Public Service Commission and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission for key human resource instruments aimed at improving staff welfare, career progression and employee motivation. …
Agency unveils plan to boost water securityThe Standard
… at the inaugural National Productivity and Performance Conference at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi, where he maintained that advancement must be a result of contribution. “To entrench this culture across the public service, I have tasked the Public Service Commission …
I will sanction nonperformers without apology, Ruto vowsThe Standard
… vestigates maladministration across national and county governments and enforces the Access to Information Act 2016.The CAJ picked Tobiko after a competitive process under Article 232 of the Constitution, the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, and Public Service Commission …
Ombudsman appoints Naisiae Tobiko as new chief executiveThe Standard
… et tracing, intelligence sharing, and mutual legal assistance; we must dry out the supply side of transnational bribery, ensuring that no corner of this continent can serve as a safe haven of stolen wealth.” Ghost WorkersThe EACC is also working with the Public Service Commission …
Technology, collaboration key in graft fight, Oginde saysCitizen Digital
… The petition was filed by Francis Awino against several government agencies and officials, including the Ministry of Health, the National Treasury, the Social Health Authority, the Digital Health Authority, the Public Service Commission and the Teachers Service Commission. …
Petition on SHA legality transferred to Milimani court Human Rights DivisionThe Standard
Kenya’s Public Service Commission (PSC) was meant to be the constitutional bulwark against patronage. …
How politicised public service and toothless Parliament have failed usThe Standard
Consumers’ Federation of Kenya wants the Public Service Commission to immediately commence proceedings for his removal. …
Why lobby group wants Basic Education PS Bitok sent homeThe Standard
Audio By Vocalize On October 19, 2022, the Public Service Commission (PSC) ordered an audit of academic and professional certificates for all newly appointed officers in the Ministry and relevant state corporations, in the last 10 years. …
Court throws out suit by assistant chief dismissed for using fake KCSE certificateCitizen Digital
… Committee Vice Chairperson Hilary Kosgei supported the proposal, saying there was a need to compile a database of graduates from children’s homes and their qualifications to enable engagement with the Public Service Commission for employment opportunities. …
Child Welfare Society’s budget raised to strengthen child protectionAn 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →