Former Thika MP shortlisted for PS position in the new-look Uhuru government.

Former Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a in a file picture. 

Immediate former Thika Town MP Alice Wambui Ng’ang’a has made it to the list of 120 persons shortlisted for nomination as Principal Secretaries in the new-look President Uhuru Kenyatta government.

From an original list of over 4,000 applicants Alice was among other former legislators, senior civil servants, former MPs, a former governor, technocrats as well as current and former parastatal who squeezed into the list by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Ex-MPs Humphrey Njuguna aka Roho Safi (Gatanga), Njogu Barua (Gichugu), Danson Mungatana (Garsen), Moses ole Sakuda (Kajaido West), Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi), Augostino Neto (Ndhiwa), Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Sanjeev Birdi (nominated) and former women reps Tiya Galgalo (Isiolo) and Wanjiku Muhia (Nyandarua) are among those who had applied for the job.

Other politicians include former Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, former Kajiado Senator Peter ole Mositet former Mombasa Deputy Governor Hazel Katana, Narok governor losers Musuni Tiampati and Patrick ole Ntutu and ex-PS John Konchellah.

Coast Region County Co-coordinator Nelson Marwa, Deputy President William Ruto’s chief of staff Ken Osinde and Amos Gatheca, Security and Operations secretary in the Office of the President lead the pack in the number of top government officials eying the prestigious PS’s jobs.

Fazul Mahamed of the NGO Co-ordination Board, Jonah Orumoi of Tourism Finance Corporation, Julius Juan of Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, National Transport and Safety 

Authority’s Francis Meja, Nixon Sigey of New Kenya Co-operative Creameries, Lucas Messo of Agriculture Finance Corporation, Mzalendo Kibunjia of National Museums of Kenya and National Aids Control Council Executive Director Nduku Kilonzo are also hoping to be lucky this time round and serve in more senior positions.

Others are Malaqueen Milgo (Athi Water Services Board), Director of Public Communication Dennis Chebitwey and sports administrator Gordon Oluoch. National Cohesion and Integration Commission member Gitile Naitule, Victor Okioma, who heads the Rehabilitation and Integration Department at Harambee House, Ministry of Lands Director of Physical Planning Augustine Masinde and ex-head of Operation Linda Boni James ole Serian are also on the shortlist.

The list of successful applicants is expected to be published in local newspapers between today and Monday with the interviews set to commence by the end of next week.

The commission will then send a list of only 60 qualified individuals to State House.

Current PSs were not required to re-apply because they had already been interviewed by the commission, but should the President desire to retain some, he will submit their names to Parliament for approval.

The commission that is led by Margaret Kobia advertised the positions in August and gave interested parties a September 1 deadline for application. The applicants were not required to indicate a preferred department as the commission stated that it intended to give the President a ‘pool’ from which he could nominate. Article 155(3)(a) of the Constitution requires the PSC to recommend persons for nomination and appointment as principal secretaries by the President.