President Ruto Nominates Former NTSA Chief Francis Meja for Key Public Service Role
Nairobi, 21 January 2026
President William Ruto has nominated Francis Meja, the founding Director-General of Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority, as chairperson of the Public Service Commission. Meja, who has served as a PSC member since January 2025, brings over 15 years of banking experience from Equity Bank and Housing Finance Company alongside his public sector credentials. The nomination requires parliamentary approval before he can lead the commission responsible for recruiting and managing Kenya’s civil servants across all government institutions.
Parliamentary Approval Process Ahead
The nomination, issued through Notification of Presidential Action No. I of 2026, has been transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by Parliament [1]. Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, Felix K. Koskei, confirmed that the nomination was made ‘in discharge of the constitutional imperatives on State appointments’ [1]. The National Assembly will refer the nomination to the relevant departmental committee for vetting, followed by a public vetting session to assess Meja’s qualifications, experience, integrity, and overall suitability for the position [3]. The committee will subsequently table a report before the House recommending approval or rejection of the nomination [3].
Meja’s Distinguished Career Path
Meja’s appointment follows a distinguished career spanning both public and private sectors. His public service record includes serving as Registrar of Motor Vehicles in the Ministry of Transport and as a Council Member of Murang’a University of Technology [1][4]. His three-year term on the Murang’a University of Technology Council began on 10 November 2023, following his appointment by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu in November 2023 [1][6]. However, this appointment was officially revoked on 20 January 2025, coinciding with his swearing-in as a member of the PSC [1][6]. In the private sector, Meja has served in management roles at Equity Bank Kenya PLC and the Housing Finance Company of Kenya (HFCK), accumulating over 15 years of experience in banking and financial services [1][4]. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi [1][4].
Political Background and Previous Ambitions
Meja’s nomination comes despite his unsuccessful bid for political office in the 2022 General Election, where he sought the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket for the Kajiado governor race [1]. The primaries were won by Katoo ole Metito, who garnered 72,679 votes compared to Meja’s 13,097 [1][6]. This represented a significant margin of defeat, with Meja securing only 15.269 percent of the votes between the two main contenders. His political aspirations, though unsuccessful, demonstrated his engagement with Kenya’s democratic processes before transitioning to his current role in public service administration.
Strategic Timing and Government Restructuring
The nomination arrives at a critical juncture for Kenya’s public service, with major ongoing government restructuring programmes including rationalisation of the civil service and digital transformation of government operations [4]. In November 2025, President Ruto formally declared the PSC chairperson position vacant and appointed a seven-member panel to recruit a new office holder through a special gazette notice dated 3 November 2025 [4]. Meja was among 12 candidates shortlisted from a total of 52 applicants for the position, following interviews conducted in December 2025 [8]. The PSC, established under Article 233 of the constitution, is mandated to recruit for public offices, manage disciplinary processes across the public service, and uphold the values and principles of public service [4]. Under Article 250(6) of the constitution, commissioners, including the chairperson, serve a single non-renewable six-year term [4]. If confirmed, Meja will replace former PSC Chairperson Ambassador Anthony Muchiri, who left the position in late 2025 and was appointed Kenya’s ambassador to Turkey [3].