Background

Background of the Ministry

The Ministry responsible for Public Service was started as the Establishment Division in 1947 under the then Office of the Chief Secretary. The role of the Division at that time was to handle all personnel work with regard to recruitment, posting, promotion, salaries, discipline, leave, passages, etc.  Its services were framed to support the colonial Civil Service and emphasis was laid on directives from the Colonial Office to ensure consistency and equity in handling individual officers’ matters.

In 1963 the Establishment Division was expanded to accommodate the training function due to the need to train Kenyan citizens in preparation for taking up management and middle-level posts. In 1964, the Directorate of Personnel Management was placed under the Office of the President to provide advisory services for the Government on the formulation and implementation of policy guidelines on personnel practices; and determination of establishment requirements of Ministries/Departments.

Over the years the Ministry has undergone reorganization and change in portfolio mandates.  In the year 2023 the Executive Order No. 2 of November, 2023 placed the Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management. Following the recent Presidential pronouncement on Government reorganization the Ministry was renamed as Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development.