Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has said acting health director general Dr Patrick Amoth has the avenue to rightfully and officially secure the position since it has been advertised.
PSC in the weekly government pullout on Tuesday advised for the position alongside 25 others in the Ministry of Health’s State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards.
"So we have to advertise for the job. The advert does not exclude Amoth from applying. I have confidence, given the experience he has, he (Amoth) should emerge as the best," Nakhumicha said on KTN News.
"He has adequate experience and he should be ahead of the pack."
The CS further explained why there is an advertisement for the appointment of a Health DG despite having Amoth acting in the position for years.
Nakhumicha claimed the provisions stipulated in the Health Act have not always been observed.
Section 16 of the Health Act provides the legal framework for appointing a Health DG.
"(He) shall be recruited by the Public Service Commission through a competitive process, vetted by Parliament and appointed by the Cabinet Secretary," it reads.
The CS therefore noted that the advertisement by the Public Service Commission is lawfully valid and does not sideline Amoth.
The Public Service Commission has severally re-advertised for the position of Director General of Health.
Other positions advertised by PSC include that of Deputy Director General and Director, Health Management Services, Public Health.
“Interested and qualified persons are required to make their applications online through the commission website or jobs portal to reach the commission on or before March 19, 2024,” the PSC advertisement said.
Amoth has occupied the position in an acting capacity for over four years after succeeding Dr John Masasabi, who had been holding the position.
He has served as the government's chief technical advisor in liaison with the Ministry of Health.
This is not the first time the position has been advertised by PSC.
In June 2022, the commission officially advertised for the position, and asked those who were interested to apply.
Health CS when reorganizing the ministry in April last year announced that Amoth would continue holding the office in acting position effective April 19, 2023.
Nakhumicha also created positions for two new deputies to the DG.