- The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has resolved to summon the Public Service Commission over alleged recruitment irregularities.
- Lawmakers questioned excess recruitment at the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and staffing imbalances in the State Department for Forestry.
- The committee says it wants accountability for recruitment decisions and compliance with approved staffing establishments.
The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has resolved to summon the leadership of the Public Service Commission (PSC) following revelations of irregular recruitment practices and staffing imbalances in government departments, as lawmakers intensify scrutiny over the use of public resources.
The committee, chaired by Butere MP Tindi Mwale, reached the decision while reviewing Auditor-General reports for the 2023/2024 financial year on the State Departments for Diaspora Affairs and Forestry.
During separate sessions with Principal Secretaries Roseline Njogu of Diaspora Affairs and Gitonga Mugambi of Forestry, the committee established that both departments were grappling with staffing irregularities that raised concerns over compliance with approved recruitment plans and budgetary allocations.
According to the Auditor-General’s report, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs advertised 16 vacancies for Foreign Service Officers III.
However, the PSC appointed 22 officers—six more than the number initially advertised.
The report further revealed that 28 Foreign Service Cadets were recruited beyond the approved staff establishment.
Committee members questioned why the department accepted the additional officers despite lacking a corresponding budgetary allocation.
Legislators also sought clarification on whether the department had raised objections to the excess recruitment and how the additional employees were being accommodated within the government’s wage bill.
Appearing before the committee, Njogu maintained that recruitment of public officers is undertaken by the PSC, emphasising that the department had limited involvement in the process once appointments had been made.
Forestry staffing imbalance
The State Department for Forestry also came under scrutiny after the audit exposed a significant mismatch between approved staffing levels and actual personnel deployment.
The report showed that the department had 82 administrative support staff against an approved establishment of 45.
At the same time, only 11 technical officers were in post against an approved establishment of 86, leaving a shortfall of 75 technical personnel.
Lawmakers expressed concern that the imbalance could undermine service delivery by prioritising support roles while critical technical positions remained vacant.
Mugambi told the committee that the department was working closely with the PSC to address the anomalies through staff redeployment and recruitment to fill critical vacancies.
PSC to be summoned
As part of the inquiry, PAC directed the Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary to submit the names of the 28 Foreign Service Cadets and provide details of the salaries paid to them.
Chairperson Tindi Mwale said the committee would also engage the PSC and the State Department for Public Service to establish how the recruitment irregularities occurred.
“This is a matter of grave concern to this watchdog committee, and we want to get to the bottom of it. Kenyans must get value for their money,” said Mwale.
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The inquiry is expected to place the PSC under fresh pressure to explain its recruitment decisions and adherence to approved staffing frameworks across government institutions.
By Kimwele Mutuku
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