Kenyan Constitution, Chapter Thirteen, Part 1, Article 232 to 233

The Public Service

Part 1:  Values and principles of public service

Article 232: Values and principles of public service

(1) The values and principles of public service include–

(a) high standards of professional ethics;
(b) efficient, effective and economic use of resources; responsive, prompt, effective, impartial and equitable
(c) provision of services;
(d) involvement of the people in the process of policy making;
(e) accountability for administrative acts;
(f) transparency and provision to the public of timely, accurate information;
(g) subject to paragraphs (h) and (i), fair competition and merit as the basis of appointments and promotions;
(h) representation of Kenya’s diverse communities; and (i) affording adequate and equal opportunities for appointment, training and advancement, at all levels of the public service, of–

(i) men and women;
(ii) the members of all ethnic groups; and
(iii) persons with disabilities.

(2) The values and principles of public service apply to public service in–

(a) all State organs in both levels of government; and
(b) all State corporations.

(3) Parliament shall enact legislation to give full effect to this Article.

Part 2: The Public Service Commission

Article 233: The Public Service Commission

(1) There is established the Public Service Commission.
(2) The Public Service Commission consists of a chairperson, a vice chairperson and seven other members appointed by the President with the approval of the National Assembly.
(3) Subject to clause (4), a person is not eligible for appointment as a member of the Commission if the person–

(a) has, at any time within the preceding five years, held office, or stood for election as–

(i) a member of Parliament or of a county assembly; or
(ii) a member of the governing body of a political party; or

(b) holds any State office;
(c) is, or has at any time been, a candidate for election as a member of Parliament or of a county assembly; or
(d) is, or has at any time been, the holder of an office in any political organisation that sponsors or otherwise supports, or has at any time sponsored or otherwise supported, a candidate for election as a member of Parliament or of a county assembly.

(4) Clause (3) (c) and (d) cease to apply to a person after two general elections for Parliament have been held since the person ceased to be such a candidate or office holder.
(5) There shall be a secretary to the Commission.
(6) The secretary–

(a) is the chief executive of the Commission; and
(b) shall be appointed by the Commission for a term of five years, and is eligible for re-appointment once.