A resident of Murang’a County has petitioned the county assembly to reject the nomination of former Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia as chairperson of the Public Service Board.
Macharia, who is expected to exit the TSC on June 30 officially, is set to be vetted by the assembly on Friday.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata on June 18, communicated to the assembly asking MCAs to approve Macharia and four others, including Brian Lishenga, Oscar Kimani, Louis Mwikali and Johnson Kang’ethe, who have been nominated to be members of the board.
Kang’ata hailed Macharia for her vast experience, saying she has the capacity to streamline issues of employment in the county.
The assembly in turn published a notice asking members of the public to attend the vetting and submit their views on the nominees.
“The public is invited to attend the approval hearing and/or submit any information on suitability or otherwise for the appointment of the nominated persons,” read the notice.
But the petitioner, Alex Mbote, noted that Macharia is in the process of exiting from the TSC after reaching the mandatory retirement age for public servants and that no legal exemption of service has been granted to her.
Mbote said Macharia was nominated well before she left her current office and concluded her duties, as she is still on leave pending her retirement.
The appointment breaches national values and principles of governance, he said, and undermines the principles of leadership and integrity, particularly the requirement for public officers to be appointed on merit and in compliance with the law.
Macharia’s nomination is contrary to public interest and undermines the integrity of public service, denying other qualified candidates the opportunity while eroding public confidence in the rule of law.
“I depose that the spirit of the mandatory retirement age for public servants is to create opportunity for a new generation of leaders and prevent the stagnation of public institutions.”
He said appointing a person already in receipt of a public service pension to another public service office, while legally permissible in some contexts, raises questions about the prudent and optimal utilisation of public resources, especially when there are equally competent citizens seeking jobs.
“A county public service board plays a crucial role in shaping the human resource landscape of the county. Appointing a younger, vibrant individual would bring fresh perspectives,” the petition read.
He pointed out that the county government has a constitutional duty to broadly consider the public interest and address the socio-economic realities of the population.
Mbote urged the assembly to reject Macharia’s nomination and direct the governor to propose someone who embodies inclusivity and fresh leadership.
Macharia has served the TSC for a period of 10 years and, if approved, will serve the board for a five-year term.
Murang’a has set a record of working with prominent professionals and business persons and has established a budget and economic council that has the membership of Equity Bank Founder Peter Munga, the bank’s CEO James Mwangi, Royal Media Services chairperson SK Macharia, among others.
