Chief Justice Koome administers oath to Francis Meja as PSC Chair

Chief Justice Martha Koome administered the oath of office to Francis Meja, who was sworn in as the new Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The event, conducted on Wednesday at the Supreme Court premises in Nairobi, additionally witnessed the swearing in of commissioners to the Kenya Law Reform Commission and a representative to the National Heroes Council. Meja takes over from Ambassador Anthony Muchiri in this leadership position. The formal oath ceremony followed President William Ruto’s recent appointment of Meja to the commission for a six-year tenure. During her address, Koome encouraged the commission to maintain principles of merit, integrity, and constitutional values in overseeing the nation’s public service. She called upon the commission to ensure the government establishes itself as a benchmark employer. Koome stated, ‘The Commission bears the responsibility of implementing Article 234 of the Constitution – which involves incorporating constitutional values throughout the public service, enhancing institutional efficiency, and promoting professional excellence.’ She underscored that the PSC should establish standards for merit-based recruitment, transparency, fairness, and integrity in employer-employee relationships across governmental bodies. The Chief Justice noted that adherence to constitutional principles is essential for establishing public confidence and improving service delivery. In addition to Meja, Emmanuel Mumia, Catherine Ochanda, and Walter Ochieng Khobe were sworn in as members of the Kenya Law Reform Commission, with Charfano Guyo Mokku taking the oath as a member of the National Heroes Council. In addressing the Kenya Law Reform Commission, Koome recognized its enduring function of converting constitutional principles into legislative frameworks. She observed that the commission has historically reviewed obsolete laws, introduced progressive reforms, and aligned sector-specific legislation with constitutional requirements. She stated, ‘Your mandate now is to consolidate and expand these achievements. Legal reform must stay proactive, evidence-informed, and responsive to emerging social, economic, technological, and governance challenges.’ The Chief Justice further encouraged the commission to prioritize reviewing statutory provisions that courts have deemed unconstitutional. She mentioned that these provisions are identified each year in the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report, and advocated for swift legislative measures to amend or abolish them. Regarding the National Heroes Council, the Chief Justice advised expanding its recognition framework to honor not just distinguished national figures but also ordinary Kenyans whose unassuming contributions fortify communities. She explained that by identifying, recognizing, and honoring heroes and heroines, the council shapes Kenya’s collective memory and affirms the values that characterize the nation.