The Commission dates back to 1954 when Civil Service Commission was established by British Colonial Government following Holmes Commission Report, 1948; Civil Service Commission was advisory to the Governor in matters of appointments; At independence in 1963 it was enshrined in the constitution and renamed Public Service Commission; Independence Constitution had Regional PSC’s but abolished in 1964 following constitutional amendments; It is the oldest Constitutional Commission and its mandate has expanded over the years.

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:-

• Served for a minimum period of three (3) years at the grade of Chief Superintending Engineer, Irrigation CSG 7 or in comparable and relevant position in the wider public service;
• A Bachelors Degree in any of the following disciplines: Agricultural Engineering, Civil engineering, Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering, Soil Water and Environmental engineering, Environmental and Bio-systems Engineering, Biomechanical and Processing Engineering or Soil and Water Engineering from a university recognized in Kenya;
• Be registered by a relevant professional body; and
• Demonstrated managerial, administrative and professional competence in work performance and exhibited a thorough understanding of national goals, policies, objectives and ability to relate them to the irrigation and drainage function.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities at this level will include:-

• Developing and reviewing of the irrigation policy, regulations, standards, guidelines, strategies, plans, programmes and projects on irrigation and drainage as outlined in the Executive Order No.1 of 2023, CoK 2010, Irrigation Policy 2017 and Irrigation Act 2019;
• Coordinating implementation of strategic plans, national irrigation master plans and financial investment plans for irrigation infrastructure development in collaboration with relevant stakeholders as per Irrigation Act 2019 Section 6(5);
• Overseeing compliance to standards on irrigation infrastructure designs and auxiliary facilities as per Irrigation (General) Regulations 2021 section 15, 20(6) and 21(1);
• Monitoring quality control of irrigation infrastructure and auxiliary facilities as per Irrigation (General) Regulations 2021 section 20(6) and 21(1);
• Coordinating implementation of national irrigation programs and projects in collaboration with county governments and other relevant stakeholders; as per Irrigation Act 2019 Section 8(2)(h);
• Establishing and maintaining linkages and networking with stakeholders on irrigation and drainage development as per the Irrigation Act 2019 Section 8(2)(i); and
• Developing and maintaining an irrigation database and integrate systematic monitoring and evaluation as per the Irrigation Act 2019 Section 6(2)(i);
• Providing technical advice on the provision of irrigation contracts and consultancy services; as per Irrigation Act 2019 section 8(1)(c);
• Providing capacity building and technical support to the counties on irrigation and drainage development as per CoK 2010 forth schedule No. 25;
• Promoting Public-Private-Partnerships in irrigation development and management as per Irrigation Act 2019 Section 8(2)(e) and Irrigation (General) Regulations section 16(4);
• Coordinating monitoring and evaluation of irrigation infrastructure maintenance and operations as per the Irrigation Act 2019 Section 6(2)(a); and
• Providing technical support and services in development and management of community-based irrigation schemes as per the Irrigation Act 2019 Section 8(2)(h).