Public Service Commission (PSC) has committed to forging closer ties with County Public Service Boards (CPSBs) to streamline human resource management and boost service delivery in Kenya’s devolved units. This partnership seeks to address long-standing HR challenges while enhancing professionalism, accountability, and efficiency in county governments.
Speaking during a side event between PSC and CPSBs at the Devolution Conference 2025 in Homa Bay County on 14th August 2025, PSC Commissioner Dr. Francis Owino — representing Chairperson Amb. Anthony Muchiri — stressed the vital role both institutions play in ensuring quality and citizen-centered services.
“Re-engineering human capital in the public service is not just about training, as many would assume. It is a fundamental rethinking and redesign of the processes, structures, and systems that manage and develop the public workforce across all levels of government,” Said Dr. Owino.
He called for a collaborative approach in tackling persistent HR issues at the county level, citing recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary procedures as priority areas. While acknowledging the tremendous growth brought by devolution through grassroots resource allocation and decision-making, Dr. Owino noted that human capital management still faces gaps that must be urgently addressed.
During the plenary session, Chairperson of the County Secretaries Caucus, Hassan Billow, and Chairperson of the County Public Service Boards Caucus, Farida Abdalla acknowledged challenges in managing HR in the devolved units. She called for regular engagements with PSC and capacity-building to harmonize HR practices nationwide.
“Misinterpretetation of PSC guidelines and regulations is a great challenge and as result every county is implementing them differently” said Ms. Abdalla.
Participants identified several pressing concerns, including disparities in skill sets and qualifications across counties, difficulties in inter-governmental secondment and staff transfers, varied approaches to performance management, politicization of appointments, and abuse of affirmative action policies.
The forum emphasized that resolving these issues requires sustained dialogue, joint training programs, and alignment of county HR policies with PSC regulations to ensure uniformity and fairness in public service management.
Also in attendance were PSC Commissioners Joan Machayo, Francis Meja, Boya Molu, and Mwanamaka Mabruki. Others were County Secretaries, County Executives, Development Partners, representatives from County Public Service Boards across the country and devolution conference delegates underscoring the collective commitment to strengthening county-level human resource governance.