Ruto declares PSC chair vacant, constitutes panel to recruit successor

President William Ruto has formally declared the position of Public Service Commission (PSC) chairperson vacant and appointed a seven-member panel to recruit a new office holder.

In a special gazette notice dated November 3, 2025, the President invoked Section 7(3) of the Public Service Commission Act and Paragraph 1(1) of the First Schedule to constitute the selection committee.

The PSC, established under Article 233 of the constitution, is mandated to recruit for public offices, manage disciplinary processes across the public service and uphold the values and principles of public service.

Under Article 250(6) of the constitution, commissioners, including the chairperson, serve a single non-renewable six-year term.

Ruto stated that the law requires him to issue a public notification within 14 days of the vacancy arising.

"...Pursuant to section 10 of the Public Service Commission Act, the President is required within fourteen (14) days after the occurrence of a vacancy to issue a public notification of such vacancy," the notice reads in part.

The President named Arthur Osiya to represent the Parliamentary Service Commission, Jane Joram to represent the Public Service Commission, and Prof. Nura Mohammed to represent the Public Universities Council.

Others appointed include Sylvester Ngei Kiini, selected under the Kenya Accountants Act, Ruth Wambeti Ruraa to represent the body of professional societies, Nancy Oundo Dalla to represent the Cabinet Secretary responsible for public service and Elizabeth Chesang as the nominee from the private sector.

The panel will be required to announce the vacancy, shortlist qualified applicants, conduct interviews and recommend suitable nominees to the President for appointment, subject to parliamentary approval.

The PSC chairperson plays a pivotal role in steering reforms in the public sector, overseeing recruitment, and ensuring adherence to constitutional principles such as meritocracy, integrity, and inclusivity in government appointments.

With major ongoing government restructuring programmes, including rationalisation of the civil service and digital transformation of government operations, the next PSC chair is expected to play a central role in shaping Kenya’s public workforce and service delivery reforms.

The announcement now sets in motion the legal process to fill one of the most influential roles in the country’s public service sector.

Once the panel completes its work, the President will forward the nominee to Parliament for vetting, in line with constitutional and statutory requirements.

The current chairperson is Anthony Muchiri. He was sworn into office in 2021.

Under the Constitution, its functions and powers include establishing and abolishing offices in the public service, as well as exercising disciplinary control over officers and, where necessary, removing individuals from their positions.

The Commission is also tasked with promoting the national values and principles of governance outlined in Article 10 of the Constitution, and the values and principles of public service as stipulated in Article 232.