The Constitution, under Article 234, mandates the Public Service Commission of Kenya (PSCK or simply PSC) “to establish and abolish offices in the public service and to appoint persons to hold or act in those positions.” In so doing, it is expected to maintain an effective and efficient public service, and to enforce ethical standards as stipulated in the Public Officers Ethics Act 2003.
The present Commission chair is Prof Margaret Kobia, who until early 2012 headed the Kenya School of Government. The Commission Secretary, who also serves as the chief executive at the secretariat, is Mrs. Alice Otwala.
PSC was formed in 1954. It became the first constitutional commission when it was enshrined in the country’s Constitution when Kenya became a republic in 1964.
A constitutional amendment in 1984 brought local authorities under the jurisdiction of the commission as far as staffing and management of personnel were concerned.
In the 2010 Constitution, the PSC again had its mandate adjusted to conduct personnel management duties to county governments, including establishing and abolishing offices and appointing persons to hold such offices, or discipline and fire them if need be.
The PSC also has the responsibility to ensure that the public service is in concert with the national values and principles of governance as enshrined in the Constitution under Article 10, as Well as the principles and values of public service as detailed in Article 232 of the Constitution. National values and principles include inclusiveness, social justice, rule of law, accountability, integrity, sustainable development among others. The values and principles that are specific to public service include: effective, efficient and economic use of resources; prompt and impartial provision of services; representation of the country’s diverse communities; and high standards of professional ethics, among others.