MPs approve Francis Meja as new Public Service Commission chairperson

New PSC Chairman Francis Meja

The National Assembly on Wednesday approved Francis Meja’s nomination for appointment as Public Service Commission (PSC) chairperson, in a sitting presided over by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Article 233(2) of the Constitution and Sections 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), this House approves the appointment of Francis Meja as the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission,” Speaker Wetang’ula stated.

The voting and approval followed a recommendation by the National Assembly’s departmental committee on Labour, which vetted the nominee, although members raised questions on his eligibility for appointment, noting he is serving as a PSC member.

The special motion for Meja’s approval was moved by Kilifi South MP and Labour Committee Chairperson Ken Chonga.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, who seconded the motion, said there was no constitutional bar to Meja’s elevation, provided he resigns from his position before assuming the new chairmanship position.

“This nominee's academic qualifications, professional experience and integrity were not brought into question. What was brought into question was eligibility in four different areas,” Amollo told MPs.

He added, “On the issue about him still serving, the law only bars him if he is still in office at the time of his appointment. As long as the nominee resigns before, then they are eligible.”

Meja, a career public servant, has been a member of the PSC since January 2025, following nomination by President William Ruto and approval by Parliament.

The new PSC boss, who is set to take over from Ambassador Anthony Muchiri, previously served as Director-General of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), where he oversaw key reforms, including the digitisation of service delivery.

He has also held executive roles in the banking sector and financial institutions, including Equity Bank Kenya PLC and the Housing Finance Company of Kenya.

His record also includes service as Registrar of Motor Vehicles in the Ministry of Transport and as a Council Member of Murang’a University of Technology.

Meja holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi.

He had earlier vied for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket for the Kajiado governor race in the 2022 General Election. Meja did not clinch the nomination, with the primaries being won by Katoo ole Metito, who garnered 72,679 votes compared to Meja's 13,097.

In November 2023, he moved into the higher education space after then Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu appointed him to the Council of Murang’a University of Technology.

His three-year term began on November 10, 2023. The appointment was revoked in an official notice dated January 20, 2025, following his swearing-in as a member of the PSC.