PSC to scale down operations in wake of third coronavirus wave

The Public Service Commission (PSC) will from next week scale down its operations citing the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PSC Secretary/CEO Simon Rotich said the Commission will operate at 50percent capacity as half of the staff have been directed to work from home beginning Monday next week.

“All PSC secretariat staff will with effect from Monday 29th March 2021 work on a rotational Work Shift Schedule, up to the lapse of the 60 days containment timeline announced by His Excellency the President during his address to the Nation on Friday 12th March 2021,” he said in a memo.

He clarified that the Commission has not recorded any new positive cases among staff members other than the 10 that were reported last year.

Mr Rotich also offered assurance that delivery of critical services will not be interrupted.

He said staff members will work on a one to two-week shift in which they will alternate between the work place and home to reduce crowding and unnecessary physical contact.

The PSC boss encouraged staff to voluntarily present themselves for the free COVID 19 vaccination programme offered by the Ministry of Health.

In the new measures announced on Tuesday, the commission’s meetings will be conducted virtually through online platforms while in-person meetings will be restricted to not more than four persons.

Physical visits to the Commission House will be restricted and visitors encouraged to make inquiries through telephone 0204865555, contact centre number 0204865000 and e-mail psck@publicservice.go.ke.

Official letters to the commission are to be delivered at a designated desk at the entrance to the main reception lobby of the PSC building.

Staff who will be working from home will be required to remain within the duty station in Nairobi as they will be deemed to be on official duty.

“Directorates that provide support to the board’s decision-making processes and that offer critical services such as conducting selection interviews and recruitment of qualified persons in the public service will be expected to adopt exceptional working arrangements to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the Commission and delivery of services,” the statement adds.