Ruto Nominates Francis Meja as New PSC Chair
President William Ruto has nominated former National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director-General Francis Meja to serve as the new Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The nomination was formally announced on Wednesday by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei.
According to the statement, the President made the nomination in line with the Constitution and existing laws that guide appointments to state offices.
The name of Francis Meja has now been forwarded to the National Assembly, where Members of Parliament will begin the vetting and approval process.
If approved, Meja will take charge of one of Kenya’s most important constitutional commissions. The Public Service Commission plays a key role in overseeing recruitment, promotions, discipline, and overall management of public servants across government institutions.
Meja is not new to the commission. He joined the PSC as a commissioner in January 2025, meaning he already has experience with its operations and responsibilities. His elevation to the chairperson’s position would place him at the top leadership of the commission.
In the official announcement, the Presidency stated: “His Excellency the President has today nominated Mr Francis Meja for appointment as the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission.” The statement highlighted his long record of service in both government and the private sector.
Francis Meja previously served as the founding Director-General of the NTSA. During his time at the authority, he was responsible for setting up the institution and overseeing the introduction of major transport safety reforms.
Before that, he worked as the Registrar of Motor Vehicles at the Ministry of Transport, where he handled vehicle registration and related regulatory functions.
His experience also extends to higher education governance. Meja served as a council member at Murang’a University of Technology, where he was involved in institutional oversight and policy guidance. This role added to his background in leadership and public sector management.
Outside government, Meja has spent over 15 years in the banking and financial services sector. He held senior management positions in various banks, gaining experience in strategic planning, financial management, and corporate leadership.
Academically, he holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi.
The nomination comes after the exit of Ambassador Anthony Muchiri, who served as PSC Chairperson until late 2025. Muchiri completed his term and was later appointed as Kenya’s ambassador to Turkey, leaving the top position at the commission vacant.
During his time as chair, Muchiri oversaw several public service reforms and guided the commission through important policy and administrative changes aimed at improving efficiency and accountability in the public sector.
However, Meja’s career has not been without challenges. While serving at the NTSA, some of the reforms introduced under his leadership, especially changes to driver training and testing, sparked controversy. At one point, the authority faced legal action, with claims that certain reforms were implemented despite a court order suspending the programme.
The National Assembly will now take over the process. Meja’s nomination will be sent to the relevant departmental committee, which will organize a public vetting session. During the hearing, lawmakers and members of the public will assess his qualifications, experience, integrity, and suitability for the role.
After the vetting, the committee will prepare a report and table it in Parliament. Members of Parliament will debate the findings and vote to either approve or reject the nomination. The final decision will then be communicated to President Ruto for formal appointment or further action.
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