Parliament advertises key positions ahead of devolution

Parliament has advertised top positions as it anticipates to move to the devolved system of government after next year’s polls.

The vacancies for clerks of both the National Assembly and senate signal Parliament’s intention to transit into the new structures envisaged in the Constitution.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Patrick Gichohi, his deputy, Owino Omollo, and the man in charge of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST), Murumba Werunga, are set to retire before the end of the year. They joined the service in 1979.

Mr Gichohi retires in December, while Mr Omollo and Mr Werunga who will bow out in September.

Mr Werunga served in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, having been seconded by Kenya.

The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has appointed PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to recruit 17 top managers to fill the various positions in the Senate and Parliament.

The posts on offer include those of clerks, senior deputy clerks, directors of legislative and procedural services, committee services, legal services, and the Speaker’s office. Positions of Sergeant at Arms and the Hansard Editor for the Senate have also been advertised.

A new position of Director General for Parliamentary Joint Services was also advertised.

Other post to be filled include those of the director of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training, directors of finance and accounting services and legal services of the Parliamentary Joint Services.

Parliament also plans to construct a 26-storey building to host the expanded House.

The PSC made a deliberate effort to involve the private sector in the recruitment so that Parliament could get competent and qualified people.

“We want all Kenyans who feel they qualify to apply.

It is the responsibility of the PSC to ensure we get the right people,” said one official. The deadlines for applications for the posts is July 20.

The recruiting firm will forward names of shortlisted candidates to PSC for appointments in line with the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act 2011.

Posts of the two Clerks will be filled pursuant to Article 128 of the constitution where respective Parliaments will ratify the appointments.