Chief Justice (CJ), Martha Koome has today presided over the swearing-in of the new Public Service Commission Chairperson.
Speaking during the ceremony at the Supreme Court Building, Nairobi, the CJ said that the Public Service Commission (PSC) is an institution intended to safeguard public servants from political patronage and promote meritocracy as the distinguishing characteristic of the public service.
“The PSC is a priceless asset in our governance system as it is the driver of Kenyans’ desire to have a nonpartisan, meritocratic and responsive public service,” she stated.
The CJ noted that the Commission must bear in mind that the Government must be the model employer in the society thus must be benchmarked to be emulated by other employers of the public and private sector.
She added that the Commission should strive to set high standards that honor meritocracy, transparency and fairness in employer–employee relationships and also be at the forefront in promoting the idea that underpins our Constitution, that the common good should be the central value that drives public servants in the performance of their duties.
The Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua, in a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry of Public Service and Gender Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof Margaret Kobia, commended the newly sworn in Chairperson, Ambassador Antony Muchiri, for according the high honor of serving the Nation as the Chairperson of Public Service Commission.
Kinyua emphasized that the decision he and his colleagues make will not only determine the quality of service across the public service sector, but also directly affect the lives of the people of Kenya.
“You need a clear line of sight between what you are doing every day, every action and decision made and the effect of the nation agenda as set in the Constitution 2010, Kenya Vision 2030, ‘Big 4’ Agenda and the Global commitments,” he said.
Kinyua said that the Commission requires clarity of mind on how it can better support the Government and through the government; national values needed to be engraved as part of the Commission through transparency, accountability and integrity.
Ambassador Muchiri said that his appointment comes from a journey of hard work, patience and self-sacrifice.
He acknowledged the Constitution for giving the PSC a broad mandate, to serve the citizens of Kenya, therefore, working together with his team within the current strategic plan and the Commission’s framework to transform the public service into a dynamic, anticipatory, responsive and an influential organization,” he said.
“I will energize the commitment of all stakeholders to support the desire and aspirations of the Commission’s vision, mission and core values, by forging and strengthening networks between the three arms of government, private sectors, donor agencies and critical drivers, such as youths, women, persons with disabilities and the diaspora,” he said.
Muchiri stated that he will build consensus across all levels in order to strengthen the secretariat to deliver on the decisions of the Commission and by eliminating low morale, stagnation and low wages, in return expecting the will to serve from all his stakeholders.
By Stacey Barasa and Faith Mukoma
