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;

Duties and Responsibilities 

The Director General of Health shall:-

• Be the technical advisor to the Government on all matters relating to health within the health sector;
• Be the technical advisor to the Cabinet Secretary of Health;
• Be responsible for preventing and guarding against the introduction of infectious diseases into Kenya;
• Promote the public health and the prevention, limitation or suppression of infectious, communicable or preventable diseases within Kenya;
• Advise the two levels of Government on matters of national security on public health;
• Promote and facilitate research and investigations in connection with the prevention or treatment of human diseases;
• Prepare and publish reports and statistical or other information relative to the public health;
• Obtain and publish periodically information on infectious diseases and other health matters and such procurable information regarding epidemic diseases in territories adjacent to Kenya or in other Countries as the interests of public health may require;
• Provide guidelines for registration, licensing, certification and gazzettement of all health facilities;
• Be responsible for internship program for health workers;
• Supervise the directorates within the national Ministry of health; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the appointing authority and any other written law

NOTE: 

The successful candidate shall be vetted by Parliament before appointment by the Cabinet Secretary for Health.

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must:-

• Be a medical practitioner registered by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB);
• At least be a holder of a Masters Degree in Public Health, Medicine or any other health related field;
• Have experience of at least ten (10) years in management of health services, five (5) of which must be at a senior management position;
• A registration Certificate and a Valid Practicing License from the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board; and
• Meet the provision of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya