By Peter Ochieng
Paul Famba has been named the new Public Service Commission (PSC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with effect from 1st August, 2024.
His appointment was confirmed by PSC chairperson Anthony Muchiri, through a notice dated 5th June, 2024.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 15(2) of the Public Service Commission Act, the Public Service Commission appoints Paul Famba as the Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Commission,” the notice reads in part.
Famba succeeds Simon Rotich whose tenure is coming to an end. He will be in office for the next five years.
The new CEO was among the 11 candidates shortlisted on for the position, on May 10, 2024, before interviews were conducted between May 22 and May 23, 2024.
Others were Brian Muithya Mutie, Judy Wangechi, and Irene Cherotich Asienga, Sylvester Odhiambo Obong’o, Mahat Osman Shale (PWD), Joan Machayo, Christopher Leparan Tialal, Bahati Keranga Mwita, Gababo Dido Jillo and Juliana Nashipae Yiapan.
The mandate of PSC is spelt out in Articles 234, 155(3)(a), 158(2)(3) and (4), 171(2), 230(2)(b) and 236 of the Constitution.
This includes establishment and abolition of offices, provision of competent human resource, promotion of good governance and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of quality services in the public service.
In discharging the mandate, the Commission is guided by the values and principles in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution, Public Service Commission Act of 2017, Public Service (Values and Principles) Act, 2015 and other relevant legislations.
The functions and powers of PSC are set out in Article 234 of the Constitution and the enabling legislation.
They incluide exercise disciplinary control over and remove persons holding or acting in those offices, promote the values and principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 throughout the public service, investigate, monitor and evaluate the organization, administration and personnel practices of the public service and ensure that the public service is efficient and effective.
Others are develop human resource in the public service, review and make recommendations to the national government in respect of conditions of service, code of conduct and qualifications of officers in the public service and evaluate and report to the President and Parliament on the extent to which the values and principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 are complied with in the public service.