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.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Deputy Commissioner for Co-operative Development will head a Directorate and will be responsible to the Commissioner for Co-operative Development on technical matters. Duties and responsibilities will include:

• Approving applications for registration of co-operatives;
• Coordinating development and implementation of co-operative policies, legislations, guidelines, and standards;
• Coordinating co-operative development research;
• Coordinating capacity building on co-operative development;
• Providing parliamentary liaison on co-operative matters;
• Coordinating mediation of disputes in co-operatives;
• Coordinating co-operatives liquidations;
• Coordinating the administration of the co-operative development fund;
• Promoting co-operatives value addition and processing;
• Overseeing co-operative risk assessment and statutory management;
• Coordinating multilateral and bilateral agreements, charters, protocols, and conventions on co-operative development in liaison with relevant stakeholders;
• Coordinating public-private partnerships and resource mobilization in liaison with relevant stakeholders;
• Mainstreaming social security services in co-operatives; and
• Overseeing the preparation and implementation of performance contracts and work plans.

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

• Served for a minimum period of three (3) years at the grade of Deputy Commissioner for Co-operative Development, CSG 6 or comparable and relevant position in the wider public service;
• A Bachelors Degree in any of the following disciplines:- Co-operative Business, Co-operative Management, Co-operative and Community Development, Commerce, Business Administration, Law, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Agri-Business or its equivalent qualification from a university recognized in Kenya;
• A Masters Degree in any of the following disciplines:- Co-operative Business, Co-operative Management, Co-operative and Community Development, Commerce, Business Administration, Law, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Agri-Business or its equivalent qualification from a university recognized in Kenya;
• Be a member of a relevant professional body (where applicable); and
• Demonstrated managerial, administrative and professional competence and a thorough understanding of national values, goals, policies, objectives and ability to relate them to the management   of the co-operative sector.