President Uhuru appoints selection panels for four commissions

President Uhuru Kenyatta

The process to end the on-going public officers’ pay-related strike has started following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to appoint a selection team for the Salaries and Remuneration Commission chair.

President Kenyatta also appointed selection panels for chairs to three other vital commissions - National Gender and Equality Commission, Commission on Administration of Justice and Public Service Commission - whose tenures expired.

Article 250(a) of the Constitution states that a member of a commission or holder of an independent office, unless ex-officio, shall be appointed for a single term of six years and is not eligible for re-appointment.

With the lucrative positions in the four commissions, many Kenyans including those who lost in the August polls are set to try their luck in filing the vacancies.

In the SRC panel, the president appointed Stephen Kerogo (Chair), Agnes Shikuku, Dr Joseph Mogendi and Boniface Otsyula.

The position fell vacant in December when Ms Sarah Serem, who was sworn into office in 2012 completed her six years in office.

It is during her tenure that salaries for Members of Parliament were cut to save taxpayers Sh9 billion annually. In their quest to retain their current pay, MPs have tasked the Public Service Commission to engage SRC in what they term as selective slashing of salaries.

The panel has also been appointed to fast track appointment of the chair at a time when lecturers who are on strike attribute their woes to SRC.

Under the National Gender and Equality Commission Act, the president appointed Ruth Kagia, Dr Judith Bonywa, Charles Mutinda, Justa Nkoroi, Veronica Birgen, Mary Gichohi, Clair Lai and Mohamed Gabu for the selection of nominees for the appointment of commission’s chair.