Public Service Commission

FAQ's

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It is a constitutional Service Commission established under Article 233 of the Constitution.

 It is composed of:

 

  • The Chairperson
  • Vice Chairperson
  • Seven members.

i) Establishment and abolition of offices in the public service

ii) Appointments

iii) Disciplinary control

iv) Promotion of values and principles

v) Compliance audit

vi) Efficiency and effectiveness of the public service

vii) Development of human resources in the public service

viii) Conditions of service, code of conduct and qualification of officers

ix) Reports to the President and Parliament

x) County appeals

Harambee Avenue, Commission House, 

Next to Harambee House and Sheria House.

The Secretary, Public Service Commission

P. O. Box 30095, 00100

Harambee Avenue, Commission House Nairobi

Email: psck@publicservice.go.ke Website: www.publicservice.go.ke

Contact Centre: 0204865000

Monday to Friday from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Except for public holidays

Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Public Service Commission.

Organization structures are upon reorganization of government and on request by MDAs

When the Commission has advertised vacant posts in the Public Service.

  1. By filing the prescribed on-line PSC.2 (Revised 2016) application form through the Commission website: www.publicservice.go.ke or through the Commission’s  Job Portal www.psckjobs.go.ke 
  2. By filling the prescribed manual PSC. 2 (Revised 2016) Application Form downloadable through the Commission’s Website.

Option I:

  1. Open the Public Service Commission Website: www.publicservice.go.ke or jobs portal www.psckjobs.go.ke.
  2. Click the Jobs Link
  3. Click on the link “Status of Advertised Posts” then depending on the post you applied click on the vacancy number adjacent to it.
  4. Search for your name from the list that appears.

Option II:

  1. Open our website www.publicservice.go.ke or our jobs portal ww.psckjobs.go.ke
  2. Click on the jobs link
  3. Click on the link “Check the Status of your Applications” then type your ID Number and click on the Search Button. All the advertised posts that you had applied will be displayed and the status of your application
  1. Due to limited bandwidth available in the cyber cafes/offices
  2. Due to so much traffic accessing the database concurrently.
  3. Make use of the HELP service or call the PSC ICT section for assistance.

Yes. Unless stated otherwise in the advert, previously unsuccessful applicants are welcome to apply for all advertised posts.

All shortlisted candidates are contacted through mobile phone, Email, and the PSC Website. Serving officers receive letters of invitation but are also contacted through the stated channels.

No. PSC does not reimburse expenses incurred while attending interviews. However, if you receive a job offer and subsequently take up the post you will be reimbursed relocation expenses.

For appointments the Commission considers various factors which include: Constitutional representation, merit and regional representation.

Articles 234 (2)(c)&(h) of the Constitution requires the Public Service Commission to promote, evaluate and report to the President and Parliament on the extent to which the values and principles in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution are complied with in the public service.

The Values and Principles in Article 232 provide a framework that guide the ethos of the entire public service.

Values and Principles are entrenched in the Constitution to ensure that:

  1. Every citizen gets quality and timely services;
  2. Public resources are utilized in a sustainable manner; and
  3. All communities have access to equitable services in order to promote national cohesion

Public institutions are required to put in place deliberate measures to promote and mainstream the values and principles through:

  1. Integrating the values and principles in the regulations, procedures, policies and instruments for delivery of the functions;
  2. Training, informing and educating public officers and the public about the values and principles;
  3. Adoption of corruption prevention measures;
  4. Mainstreaming values in the codes of conduct which prescribe clear and appropriate standards of conduct and sanctions for breaching them;
  5. Training of public servants on the provisions of the code of conduct and ethics;
  6. Instituting and upholding a citizen service delivery charter in line with the values and principles;
  7. Instituting mechanisms for recognizing, honouring, rewarding and celebrating outstanding achievements on values and principles: and 
  8. Embedding values in conditions of service and adopting human resource practices, which link values to the entry and advancement, and merit-based recruitment and promotion.
  1. At the Commission House
  2. In the Commission website

Kenyans expect a public service that:

  1. Is citizen focused and result oriented;
  2. Delivers services in a predictable manner;
  3. Is professional;
  4. Adheres to the principle of inclusivity, equity and competence;
  5. Fosters a culture of excellence in service delivery; and 
  6. Provides impartial, efficient and effective services.

Where an officer is dissatisfied with the decision of the Authorized officer.

Yes

Six months from the date of decision

  1. Uphold the Authorized Officer’s decision
  2. Vary Authorized Officer’s decision
  3. Make such other appropriate decisions altogether

Appeals that relate to human resource management decisions made by the County Governments in respect of their employees

Once all the processes and procedures of the County Public Service Board or County Assembly Service Board have been exhausted.

Both an appeal and an application for review should be made within 90 days from the date of the county governments’ decision and the date of the Commission’s decision on the appeal respectively.

Orally or through written representation.

Yes. Any person who fails to enforce the decisions of the Commission shall be deemed to have violated the provisions of Articles 47(1), 50 and 73 of the Constitution and Sections 7, 9 and 13(1)(b) of the Leadership and Integrity Act and shall be liable to disciplinary proceedings as provided in Section 41 of the Leadership and Integrity Act.

Officers who sit and pass promotional examination are reimbursed monies paid as registration fees by their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies

  1. Re-designations are subject to existence of vacancies in the authorized establishment.
  2. Re-designations will be considered for related cadres

Re-designations will be subject to suitability interviews and performance.

All members and staff of independent offices and Commissions not excluded under Article 234(3) of the Constitution;

  1. Members and staff of statutory commissions, authorities and agencies
  2. All civil servants; 
  3. All prison officers;
  4. Directors and staff of state corporations; and
  5. Principal Secretaries;

Yes

Yes. By making a written request to the Commission and demonstrating legitimate interest and good cause for the advancement of the objectives of public service integrity.

No. the right to access is limited to the person making the request. Publication of the information requires a separate permission from the Commission and you will be notified of the request.

No. the window for making the declaration is as provided for in the Act and does not include declarations out of time.

  1. May be used in the administration of estate where one dies intestate
  2. May be used in the vetting for appointments in the public service such as in the Judiciary
  3. Maybe used to undertake lifestyle audits
  4. May be used to aid forensic audits in suspected cases of fraud, illicit enrichment, organized crime, money laundering and corruption.
  5. May be used for research
  6. May be used to inform review of terms and conditions of service.
  7. Principally used to promote good governance practices, accountability, transparency and integrity in the public service.
  1. At the Commission;
  2. Commission website:

Not necessarily. If one thinks they are in a position to make their own representation of the issue giving to the disciplinary case, it is advisable that they do so individually to avoid acrimonious exchanges that are likely to result when one is represented by a lawyer.

  1. The service to be transferred  must be pensionable service;
  2. The other administration or county public service to which an officer seeks to transfer his/her service must have been declared as ‘Public Service’ for pension purposes under Sections 2 and 6 of the Pension Act Cap 189; 
  3. An officer seeking appointment in the other  administration or county public service should submit his/her application through the Authorized Officer who should forward the same with comments;
  4. Upon appointment by the other administration or county public service, a request for transfer of service should be forwarded to Public Service Commission for approval;
  5. Where an officer is offered appointment by another Administration other than in accordance  with the procedure mentioned above, they will be required to resign from the Service;
  6. An officer from another administration (which is declared as ‘Public Service’) who is offered appointment in the Civil Service and wishes to transfer his/her service shall submit his/her request to the Public Service Commission for approval.
  1. There must exist a vacancy against which an officer is to be considered for acting capacity;
  2. The vacancy may be temporary as a result of the substantive holder being away for duration of more than thirty (30) days either on account of leave, a long course or illness. It may be a permanent vacancy arising from the exit of the substantive holder of the position through promotion or natural attrition ;
  3. The officer must possess all the requirements for appointment to the post in question;
  4. The officer must be called upon to act against the position either by the Head of Directorate/Department/ Section pending substantive filling of the position by the substantive holder or through competitive filling of a permanent vacancy for which an indent is required;
  5. An officer who is called upon to act against a position must be the senior most in the grade. Where this is not the case, a clear explanation must be given regarding the  supersession;
  6. Acting appointments must be processed through the Ministerial Human Resource Management Advisory Committee ( MHRMAC) for approval by the Authorized Officer for Job Groups ‘A to H’ or the Public Service Commission for Job Groups ‘Q’ and above; and 
  7. Acting appointment is for duration not exceeding six (6) months. In instances where extension is necessary, approval must be sought from the appointing authority.
  8.  
  1. When an officer is not able to discharge the functions of his/her office due to infirmity of mind or body;
  2. On the recommendation of the Authorized Officer the officer’s case is referred the Director of Medical Services for convening of a Medical Board to determine whether or not the officer is fit for further employment.
  3. If the officer is found to be unfit for further employment, he/she shall is informed of the intention to retire him/her on Medical Grounds and requested to make representations on the same; and
  4. Upon making the his/her representations, a recommendation is submitted to the Public Service Commission with enclosures of the Medical Report, the officer’s representations and the Authorized Officer’s comments on the case for a decision to be made on whether the officer should to retire on Medical grounds or not.
  5.  

The circumstances under which an officer may be called upon to retire from the Service on re-organization of Government/Abolition of Office are clearly stipulated in the existing legislation, service regulations and guidelines issued in the nature of circulars from time to time.

The grounds include:

  1. Where a public officer is rendered redundant on abolition of an office and is therefore liable to retire;
  2. Where there is re-organization the likely result is excess staff who may be required to retire on re-organization of office;
  3. When there are bloated functions and the costs of personal emoluments (P.E) becomes unmanageable, for better efficiency or economy of ministry or state department there may be need for a public officer(s)to be retired for purposes of cost containment; and
  4. Job Evaluation could result in redundancy if staffs are found to be in excess due to functional overlaps and duplication of duties.

When the Commission has advertised vacant posts in the Public Service.

i. The Commission’s Website – www.publicservice.go.ke

ii. The Commissions Portal – www.psckjobs.go.ke

iii. The Mainstream print media

iv. The Commission Notice Board v. The Government Website – www.gov.go.ke

i. Once jobs are advertised they are posted on our jobs portal and Website www.psckjobs.go.ke, www.publicservice.go.ke

ii. Register by clicking on register link and provide the relevant details.

iii. Go to the long in page and log in using your User Name, ID Number and Password as provided.

iv. Click on the Apply Link and fill the prescribed PSC Application form

v. Fill all the Information and click on ‘Submit’ button to submit your application.

Yes, the online Recruitment and Selection System allows applications to amend/revisit their application(s) at any time BEFORE the advert closure date.

Note: If you have filled the form correctly, you will see a message allocating a folio number on your screen informing you that you have successfully submitted your application.

i. Through the Commission Secretary, P.O. Box 30095-00100 Nairobi, Kenya.

ii. Through Courier Services

iii. By Hand delivery to the Commission House, Harambee Avenue.

The Public Service Commission Board

  1. Following change of strategy by government or the MDA;
  2. When the mandate for which the office was set up is fulfilled; it is obsolete/redundant;
  3. Upon repeal of the establishing laws;
  4. Upon re-organization of office;
  5. Following technological changes;
  6. Where there are duplications/overlaps/mergers

The Commission places advertisements:

  1. The Commission’s Website – www.publicservice.go.ke
  2. The Commissions Portal - www.psckjobs.go.ke
  3. The Mainstream print media

The Government Website – www.MyGov.go.ke

The selection process entails a criteria derived from the job advert requirements as well as constitutional requirements. Shortlisted candidates are invited for oral interviews which are competency based. All posts will have at least one formal interview; the panel consists of PSC Commissioners with technical Human Resource representative as appropriate.

The Authorized Officer of the recruiting Ministry/State Department is notified of the Successful candidates by the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission once the Commission has made a decision on the appointments.

If your application is successful, you will receive a written letter from Principal Secretary of that respective Ministry offering you the position.

In the event that you forget the password, you will be required to click “forgot Password” link and provide the exact email you had used to register. A link will be sent to the email address you used to register.

Yes, as long as one meets the requirements and qualification of the advertised post.

Yes.  When abroad, one can request for online interview.

The Commission considers constitutional requirements and regional balancing in shortlisting.

Yes, we shortlist by ethnicity to address constitutional requirements and regional representation.

Values are important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable. They are the principles used to define that which is right, good and just. Values bind a society together and define what is important and worthwhile, and are passed down through generations.

Values and Principles of Public Service are values espoused in Article 232(1) of the Constitution. They define the manner in which public officers should discharge their duties and what members of the public should expect of them.

They include: High standards of professional ethics; Efficient, effective and economic use of resources; Responsive, prompt, effective, impartial and equitable provision of services; Involvement of the people in the process of policy making; Accountability for administrative acts; Transparency and provision to the public of timely, accurate information; Fair competition and merit as the basis of appointments and promotions; Representation of Kenya's diverse communities; and Affording adequate and equal opportunities for appointment, training and advancement, at all levels of the public service, of men and women, the members of all ethnic groups; and persons with disabilities.

Article 10(1) of the Constitution requires public officers to observe the values and principles of governance when applying or interpreting the Constitution; when enacting, applying or interpreting any law; or making or implementing public policy decisions. They should:

  1. Act in a manner that upholds public service values whether acting in official or private capacity.
  2. Provide politically neutral services and always act impartially without fear of political interference.
  3. Respect and abide by the Public Officer Code of Conduct and Ethics;
  4. Commit to observe and uphold the provisions of the institution's Citizen Service Delivery Charter;
  5. Deliver on all the organizational, departmental and individual performance targets;
  6. Maintain high standards of decorum, civility and courtesy in the discharge of public duty;
  7. Act in a manner that does not bring self, organization and government into disrepute;
  8. Refuse to participate in acts of commission or omission that undermine values and principles; and
  9. Report any violation of values and principles wherever and whenever detected.
  1. At the Commission House
  2. In the Commission website
  1. The Constitution of Kenya under Article 234(5) confers upon the Public Service Commission the authority to delegate any of its powers and functions in writing with or without conditions to its members, any public officer, body or authority in the Public Service;
  2. In line with above, the Public Service Commission has delegated its powers and functions to other public officers and bodies;
  3. The delegatees are expected to exercise the powers and functions in specific delegation  instructions, relevant laws, regulations and guidelines; and
  4. The Commission retains an oversight role over the exercise of delegated powers and functions and ultimately remains accountable.

The Policy on Succession Management as contained in the Circular of 10 September 2008 issued by the Ministry of State for Public Service on common establishments gives clear provision for addressing stagnation and promotion of officers through:

  1. Expanded common establishment
  2. Provision of waivers on master’s degree 
  3. Waivers on period of service - officers can be promoted two grades higher where there are no serving officers e.g. JG ‘P’ to ‘R’ and JG ‘N’ to ‘P’.

Within 30 days

When there is fresh evidence

Error on the record

Yes

Yes, if circumstances warrant it

Any person aggrieved by a decision of any authority or person in respect of a county government public service.

Once all the processes and procedures of the County Public Service Board or County Assembly Service Board have been exhausted.

  1. Uphold the decision;
  2. Set aside the decision;
  3. Vary the decision as it considers just; or
  4. Give such directions as it may consider appropriate.
  1. Where the Appeals Committee determines that it is necessary to hear witnesses in the matter; or
  2. Where the appellant makes a written request to the Commission provided that a request to be heard orally shall be considered and allowed at the discretion of the Appeals Committee.
  1. Administrative Officers’ Examination
  2. Proficiency Examination for Clerical Officers
  3. Occupational Examination for Telephone Operators
  4. Assistant Legal Metrology Officers’ Parts I& II Examinations 

The Commission has delegated human resource development to Authorized Officers under delegated powers. Ministries, Departments and Agencies organize training for their officers.

All public officers.

  1. Within 30 days of becoming a public officer;
  2. By the end of December every two years; and
  3. Within 30 days of ceasing to be a public officer.

By making a written request to the Commission.

Yes. The Commission will write to you giving you reasonable time to respond before making the decision to release the information.

Yes. Part 9 of the form makes provisions for the declarant to give additional information that may be useful or relevant.

  1. May be subjected to administrative disciplinary action;
  2. May be arrested and prosecuted: and 
  3. May be jailed for one year fined one Kshs. One million or both.
  1. Administration of financial disclosures;
  2. Issuance of the Code of Conduct and Ethics;
  3. Exercise of disciplinary control; and
  4. Issuance of service regulations.
  5.  
  1. Professionalism
  2. Political neutrality
  3. Impartiality
  4. Avoid conflict of interest;
  5. Respect of the law and human rights;
  6.  

A petition in form of an affidavit sworn by the petitioner giving an outline of the issues for which he/she thinks makes the DPP unsuitable to hold office is lodged with the Commission

Movement from one cadre to another is governed by the re-designation policy  in  which power to re- designate an officer has been delegated to the Authorized Officer for Job Groups ‘A’to‘H’ and  Job Group ‘J’ and above remains within the purview of the Public Service Commission.  For one to move from one cadre to another the following conditions apply:

  1. There must be a vacancy against which an officer may be considered;
  2. Re-designation  from one cadre to another will be confined to the first two(2) levels from entry; 
  3. An officer seeking to move to another cadre must meet the entry requirements for the cadre;
  4. A formal application for re-designation should be forwarded to the Public Service Commission where applicable through the Authorized officer or to the Authorized Officer through the Head of Human Resource Management & Development;
  5. Those wishing to move to a cadre that is not within the same job family will be subjected to suitability interview for re-designation with effect from the date of the decision; and
  6. Those wishing to move to a cadre within the same job family shall be re-designated with continuous service on the Job Group without being subjected to suitability interview;

The policy of Government is not supposed to appoint pensioners.  However, in the following exceptional circumstances a pensioner may be allowed to rejoin the Service if:

  1. there exists positions that are difficult to fill due to shortage of skills in the Service;
  2. Existing positions require candidates with rare knowledge, experience and expertise that can only be found in persons of the caliber of a pensioner as in the case of highly specialized areas;
  3. A pensioner is to be re-appointment; there must be a vacancy against which the pensioner may be considered. In exceptional circumstances, a Pensioner may be identified by an appointing authority to occupy a given position;
  4. Such appointments are processed by the Public Service Commission either through declarations of vacancies for competitive filling or forwarding of a pensioner’s Curriculum Vitae for consideration; and
  5. Appointments of such nature are for a short duration usually on contracts terms.
  1. An officer joining the Service against a pensionable post is appointed on probationary terms for a period of six months for assessment in order to :
    • Give one an opportunity to learn the work; 
    • Demonstrate through performance suitability for the job.
  2. The supervisor is required to ensure that every officer on probation is given adequate opportunity to be confirmed in his/her appointment;
  3. Where on assessment an officer on probation is found unsuitable, the probationary period will be extended for another three months with prior notification after which if still found to be unsuitable, the appointment will be terminated;
  4. Where an officer is found suitable they will be confirmed in appointment;
  5. An Officer beyond 50 years of age will not be considered for appointment on probationary terms of service because one would not complete the ten (10) years required to qualify for pension as per the Pension Act Cap189

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