Public Service extends application deadline for Principal Secretaries

Some of the outgoing CSs, PSs and senior government officials during their swearing-in at State House, Nairobi. [PSCU, Standard]

The Public Service Commission has extended the closing date for applications for Principal Secretary positions.

In a statement on Tuesday, the commission said as opposed to today's deadline, the closing date had been pushed to September 27, 2022.

"The Public Service Commission (PSC) has extended the deadline for submission of applications for the advertised positions of Principal Secretaries in the public service from today 20th September 2022 to Tuesday 27th September 2022," the statement read.

The commission's Chief Executive Officer Simon Rotich said interested applicants now have seven more days to apply for the positions that are expected to fall vacant following the General Elections held on 9th August 2022.

His sentiments were echoed by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia who said the extension had been made official to the public.

"It is official PSC has extended the deadline for the submission of PS position application docs by one week to 27th Sept. This is to allow more applicants to participate in the process," she said.

On September 7, 20222, the commission invited interested and qualified Kenyans to apply for the positions of Principal Secretaries.

The Commission's Chairperson Anthony Muchiri, in a gazette notice notified those interested to apply on or before September 20.

To be eligible for appointment, one must be a Kenyan citizen, hold a degree from a university recognized in Kenya, and have at least ten years of relevant professional experience.

Five years should have been in a leadership or top management level in the public service or private sector.

According to the notice, possessing general knowledge of the organization and functions of government, demonstrating an understanding of the goals, policies and developmental objectives of the nation were among the requirements.

Others include having demonstrable leadership and management capacity, including knowledge of financial management and strategic people management; and meeting the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

One of the duties of a PS is being the Accounting Officer and Authorised Officer of the State Department, ensuring efficient and effective utilisation of financial, human, and other resources in the State Department, and submitting regular statutory reports as required, among others.

The holder of the office serves on contract as determined by the appointing Authority, in this case the President.

Muchiri said applicants should first get clearance from, among other bodies, the Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), and a registered Credit Reference Bureau.