•The Constitution says holders of constitutional commissions and independent offices serve for a non-renewable term of six years.
•President Ruto asked Kenyans to consider sending memoranda on the suitability of the candidates
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has appointed three hiring panels to fill imminent vacancies at key constitutional commissions and independent offices.
Terms of office for chairpersons and members of four constitutional bodies are set to end.
The tenure of Lyn Mengich as the chairperson of Salaries and Remuneration Commission is set to lapse.
Mengich was appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on September 13, 2018, for a six-year term.
She was sworn-in alongside commissioners Amani Yuda, John Monyoncho, Leah Mumbua, Margret Sawe, Elizabeth Muchiri and Peris Ashubwe.
Once they exit, the commission will be left with two members namely Abdullahi Abdi who joined in November 2021 and Phyllis Wagacha in 2023.
Florence Kajuju is also about to end her term as chairperson of the Commission on Administrative Justice, also known as the Ombudsman.
Two commission members are also on their way out having concluded their tour of duty.
Joyce Mutinda is also set to leave the post of chairperson of the National Gender and Equality Commission alongside a member.
According to the constitution, holders of constitutional commissions and independent offices serve for a non-renewable term of six years.
Anne Makori is also on her sunset days at the helm of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority. There is also a vacancy of seven members at the police oversight body.
“To facilitate the transition within the said bodies, His Excellency the President has today constituted the requisite selection panels for the recruitment of nominees for appointment as chairpersons and members to the commissions and offices,” said Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
In a statement, he said the panels were appointed in line with the law and included nominees from professional bodies, institutions and state offices.
The latter constitute the statutory membership of selection panels for recruitment to the specific constitutional commissions and independent offices.
For SRC bosses’ hiring, the President appointed Joshua Wambua of the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa, Patrick Mtange of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya and Monica Sifuna of Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis.
The Parliamentary Service Commission is one of the nominating bodies in the recruitment of SRC commissioners.
Other nominating bodies include the Public Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, the Teachers Service Commission, the National Police Service Commission, the Defence Council and the Senate, on behalf of county governments.
Quresha Abdullahi of the Institute of Human Resource Management, Public Service Principal Secretary Amos Gathecha, Mary Kimonye of the Executive Office of the President, Lawrence Kibet of Treasury and Samuel Kaumba from the office of the Attorney General are also in the team.
The panel for recruitment of CAJ chairperson and two members comprise Edwin Makori from APSEA, Zena Atetwe from the disability council, Jasper Mbiuki from the President’s office, Susan Chelagat from AG’s office and Patrick Wamoto and Joan Machayo from the Public Service Commission.
NGEC team has Florence Nyole of APSEA, Timothy Odongo from Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Lerina Kariringah of the disabilities council, Linda Musumba of EOP, Janet Kung’u of AG’s office, Maimuna Mwidau from the gender ministry and Reuben Chirchir and Mary Waindi of PSC.
Ipoa team will be listed by Arthur Osiya of EOP, Justice Msagha Mbogoli as JSC representative, Joyce Nyabuti of PSC, Monica Muiru of EACC, KNCHR’s Raymond Nyeris and Caroline Naikena of NGEC.
“His Excellency encourages all qualified Kenyans to respond to the clarion call to serve the nation by making applications for the positions once invitations to prospective applicants have been made,” Koskei said.
He said the President wants Kenyans to consider sending memoranda on suitability of the candidates who will be shortlisted by the respective selection panels.