Currently, there are 44 Principal Secretaries serving in different State departments but the President has increased the number to 49.
The deadline for Application was Twenty-eight last month. The PSC has shortlisted 477 individuals to be interviewed for the post of Principal Secretaries in various departments.
While releasing the list, the Public Service Commission stated that they had shortlisted 477 names from 9,154 applicants who had shown interest in the vacant principal Secretaries posts.
The PSC said the interviews will be held from 12 to 22 of this month. Those who have been shortlisted include :
Mary Chebukati Wanyonyi wife to IEBC Chair, Alfred Ombudo K’Ombudo, Dr Irene Asienga who worked as a Senior Lecturer and Director of Kabarak University, Nairobi Campus.
Former Lang’ata MP Nixon Korir and his Kiminini counterpart Chris Wamalwa are also among those shortlisted to be interviewed for principal secretary post.
Former Narok Governor Samuel Tunai who vied for the senatorial seat on UDA and lost to ODM’s Ledama Olekina has also been shortlisted.
Former Wajir West MP Ahmed Kolosh and former Isiolo Woman Representative Rehema Jaldesa have also found their way into the list of shortlisted candidates for princi secretary position.
Former EACC boss Halakhe Waqo who vied for Isiolo gubernatorial seat on ODM and lost is among the shortlisted candidates for principal secr position together with Francis Meja who lost during the UDA nominations for the Kajiado governor seat.
Others shortlisted to be interviewed for the position of principal Secretaries include Veska Kangogo, former Kericho Deputy Governor Lily Ngok, Dr Korir Sing’oei who has been Dr Ruto’s legal adviser and Prof Edward Kisiang’ani who has been a key person in the head of state’s communication team since campaigns.
The Principal Secretaries who served in the outgoing government but have been shortlisted as well include Dr Chris Kiptoo ( principal secretary Environment and Forestry), Esther Koimett (principal secretary Broadcasting and Telecommunications), Peter Kaberia (principal secretary industrialisation), Belio Kipsang (principal secretary for Regional and Northern Corridor Development), Julius Jwan (principal secretary Education), Saitoti Torome (principal secretary Planning), Francis Owino (principal secretary Agriculture), Jerome Ochieng (principal secretary ICT and Innovation), Charles Hinga (principal secretary Housing), Margaret Mwakimu (TVET), Nelson Marwa (principal secretary Social Protection) and Fred Sigor (principal secretary Wildlife).
Others who also served in the previous regime include Joseph Irungu, Ali Noor Ismail, Andrew Tuimur, Micah Powon, Simon Nabukwesi and Sarah Ruto.
Another person shortlisted for the position of principal secretary is the wife to the late veteran politician Jakoyo Midiwo, Dr Rose Olayo Jakoroyo and Stephen Gaya Agong’ VC, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Dr Duncan Ojwang Dean School of Law, Africa Nazarene University and Professor Catherine Akinyi Muhoma – DVC Administration and Finance Maseno University.
Various heads of parastatals have also been shortlisted for the PS positions as well as the acting Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth.
Another key figure is Dr Wilson Aruasa, chief executive officer of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director Bernard Njiraini, Prof Thomas Kipkurgat (Rivatex), Sammy Naporos (Kerio Valley Development Authority), Nixon Sigey (New KCC), Charles Ringera (Helb), Prof Laban Ayiro (Vice Chancellor Daystar), Browne Kustwa (Communication PSC) and Bernard Ngugi (former Kenya Power boss).
