Public Service Commission withdraws Magoha’s powers

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has withdrawn the power to manage human resources it had delegated to Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha in a week that saw demands for his resignation for verbally insulting one of his juniors.

PSC chairman Stephen Kirogo, in a circular addressed to chairpersons of public university councils and copied to Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, said human resource matters requiring the attention of the commission would be now handled by Dr Belio Kipsang.

“The move is in exercise of the commission’s powers and commitment to protect public servants against undignified and unwarranted attacks,” Mr Kirago said.

He added the execution of delegated authority is designed to foster public confidence and maintain the integrity and dignity of the service.  The CS holds such powers on behalf of the President. Sources told the  Nation that the head of state was not happy after the CS caused public indignation early in the week when he was captured on camera insulting and humiliating Uasin Gishu County Education director Gitonga Mbaka.

In the clip, which has gone viral, the minister appears very angry while on an impromptu visit at Langas Primary School in Eldoret.

He is seen wildly gesticulating at Dr Mbaka, whom he calls a “complete fool” in the full glare of cameras, teachers and other officials.

“The purpose of this letter is to inform you that in view of the recent incident in the Ministry of Education relating to the role of the authorised officer, the commission has in the meantime withdrawn the delegation of its powers and functions from Cabinet Secretary George A. O. Magoha,” the PSC chairman says in the circular.

As chief executive officers of ministries and State departments, Cabinet Secretaries are designated as authorised officers exercising delegated powers and functions of the commission in the management of the human resource under their purview.

The circular also calls on authorised officers to act in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution, applicable statutory requirements, regulations, policies, guidelines and manuals for effective management of the public service.