The Public Service Commission has announced vacancies for the positions of Registrar and Assistant Registrar of Political Parties, calling on qualified candidates to submit their applications in line with the Political Parties Act.

The position fell vacant after former Registrar of Political Parties Anne Njeri Nderitu was sworn in last Friday as a  commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In a notice issued on Tuesday under Sections 33, 34, and 34A of the Political Parties Act, the commission stated that suitable candidates for the Registrar position must hold a degree from a recognized university and have at least fifteen years of post-qualification experience in fields such as finance, law, governance, management, political science, or public administration.

Applicants must also demonstrate high moral character and integrity and meet the ethical standards set out in Chapter Six of the Constitution.

The Registrar of Political Parties plays a critical role in overseeing the functioning of political parties in the country. Key responsibilities include registering, regulating, monitoring, investigating and supervising political parties to ensure they comply with the law.

The Registrar also administers the Political Parties Fund, oversees the publication of audited accounts, and maintains a register of political party members and their symbols.

Other duties include verifying and publicly sharing party membership lists, ensuring individuals do not belong to more than one party, and notifying the electoral commission of such findings.

The Registrar is also tasked with certifying that independent candidates are not affiliated with any registered party, and that their chosen symbols do not resemble those of any existing party.

“The Registrar shall also certify that names on a party list belong to members of the respective political party, regulate nominations, and train election agents on request,” the statement read.

Additionally, the Registrar investigates complaints filed under the Act and carries out any other functions assigned by law.

The Public Service Commission is also seeking to recruit individuals for the position of Assistant Registrar of Political Parties. While the detailed requirements for the assistant role were not fully listed in the notice, the role is expected to support the Registrar in fulfilling the mandate outlined in the Act.

Applications for these positions are open to Kenyan citizens who meet the stated qualifications and ethical requirements.

During her vetting in May 2025, Anne Nderitu defended her nomination to serve as a commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Nderitu asserted that her position then did not disqualify her from seeking the role.

Speaking  during her vetting before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), Nderitu clarified that applying and being nominated for the IEBC post does not equate to being appointed—a critical distinction, she said, that keeps her within the bounds of eligibility.

“When I was applying for the job, I was fully aware that one cannot be appointed as a commissioner while still holding a state office,” Nderitu told the George Murugara-led committee.