Flora Mutua has promised to push for a more open and inclusive Public Service Commission (PSC), saying closer engagement with stakeholders would be key to winning back public confidence if she is approved to serve as a commissioner.
Mutua, the presidential nominee for membership of the PSC, made the commitment on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during her vetting by the National Assembly Labour Committee at Parliament Buildings.
The committee, chaired by Kangundo MP Fabian Kyule, sought to establish whether Mutua had the experience and capacity needed to take up the position and help address challenges facing the Commission.
Responding to questions on the public's confidence in the PSC, Mutua said the Commission had over time faced concerns partly because of limited interaction with stakeholders.
She told MPs that her approach would be to create more opportunities for consultation and ensure those affected by decisions made by the Commission have a chance to participate in discussions.
“It is true that lack of public trust on the Commission has been there all along, and some of the factors contributing to it are the lack of closeness and involving other stakeholders. So, my take is if given an opportunity I will engage with the stakeholders, collaborate more, be open to more consultation and let all the concerned stakeholders be brought to the table for decision making and also to address the issues that make the Commission unpopular,” she said.
Mutua said the approach would allow the Commission to better understand concerns raised by different groups while working towards solutions to issues affecting its relationship with the public.
Her age also came under scrutiny during the hearing after MPs noted that she was four months away from attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.
Committee Chairperson Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga questioned whether Mutua would have enough energy to take on a six-year term given that she was nearing retirement age.
“At the age of 60 years, the government saw fit that one should retire. With only four months to your retirement, what informs you that you will be energetic enough to serve another tenure of six years if approved,” Chonga asked.
Mutua maintained that she was capable of handling the responsibilities of the position and argued that age should not be viewed as a limitation.
She told the committee that growing older also brings knowledge and experience, which she said would be useful in carrying out the duties of a PSC member.
The vetting also turned to the long-running problem of ghost workers in the public service, with MPs seeking to know how Mutua would help prevent losses linked to workers who remain on government payrolls despite not serving.
Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba challenged the nominee to explain what action she would take to address the problem.
“The government recently lost Kshs. 6 billion courtesy of ghost workers in the public sector, what are you going to do,” Milemba asked.
Mutua was further questioned on the need to address staff stagnation and improve career guidelines within the public service.
She also outlined her intention to improve recruitment, reduce the backlog and make the process more transparent.
The committee will now prepare a report on Mutua's suitability for appointment to the Commission. The report will be presented to the National Assembly for consideration before the next step in the approval process.