PSs endorse law to set up hiring agency

Public Service head Francis Muthaura. PHOTO/FILE  

By SAMUEL SIRINGI ssiringi@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Tuesday, August 9  2011 at  22:00

In Summary

• They say body will ensure ethnic and regional balance in employment

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Permanent secretaries have endorsed a proposed law seeking the establishment of a more independent agency to employ government workers.

They have cleared for publication the Public Service Commission (PSC) Bill 2011, arguing that it would help create an agency to promote ethnic and regional representation in government employment.

Public Service head Francis Muthaura confirmed on Tuesday that the meeting held at the Kenya Institute of Administration last Friday unanimously supported the Bill.

Mr Muthaura said permanent secretaries sought to ensure that the new commission would be free from political interference.

Already, long-serving chairman Titus Gateere has left the PSC after the expiry of his term and his place taken up by deputy chairperson Rosemary Atieno Nyanjom in an acting capacity.

The Bill renders obsolete initial attempts by the PSC to draw another one called the Public Service Bill, which was roundly condemned by some interest groups such as the Public Service ministry.

According to the Bill, a selection panel would be formed to pick top officials of the PSC.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will each nominate two members of either gender to the panel, according to the Bill.

The Judicial Service Commission, the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and the Association of Professional Societies of East Africa will each pick a member to the panel.

Parliament will then scrutinise and approve the names and present them to President Kibaki for appointment to the selection panel.

The selection panel will advertise for the vacancies at the PSC, indicate the nominees and interview applicants.

The panel will then select three people for the position of chairperson and 13 others for the position of member.

The President will pick one person as chairperson and eight as members before sending the names to Parliament for vetting and approval.