Each of Kenya’s 47 counties recruits through its County Public Service Board. Boards publish their own adverts, shortlists and interview schedules, so details differ by county. The questions and checklist below are based on the published constitutional values and the document requirements commonly listed in public service interview notices.
How County Interviews Differ
County boards often interview many candidates in a short time and may ask more about local knowledge: the county’s integrated development plan, its main services, and the wards or sub-counties you would serve. Some boards publish shortlists on their websites and in newspapers; check both. Panels usually include board members and a technical person from the department, and interviews for junior posts can be as short as fifteen minutes, so get to the point quickly. If you are applying for a post in a ward or sub-county, know its main centres and the services offered there.
Practice Questions
What are the main priorities in this county's development plan?
Read the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) on the county website and link one priority to the role.
Which functions are devolved to counties, and how does this job fit?
The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution lists county functions such as county health services, agriculture and county roads. Place your role within one of them.
How would you handle pressure from a politician to favour certain people in service delivery?
Explain that you would follow the law and procedure and report undue influence. Chapter Six applies to county officers too.
How would you improve how residents get services from your department?
Give a practical idea: clearer queues, better information, or simple digital tools, with how you would measure results.
Tell us about a time you solved a problem in your current or last job.
Use situation, task, action, result, with numbers where possible.
How would you make sure your work is fair to all wards and communities?
Article 232 asks for fair, equitable and inclusive service. Show how you would plan and track that.
Documents to Prepare
Carry originals and copies of your national ID, academic and professional certificates, and testimonials. Many public service interview notices also ask for clearances from KRA, EACC, HELB, a credit reference bureau and the DCI (certificate of good conduct). Apply for these early. Always follow the exact list in your invitation. If any clearance is still being processed, carry the application receipt to show it is on the way.
These are practice questions we built from the official criteria above. They are not leaked or official interview questions, and real panels may ask different ones. Never pay anyone who offers “the actual questions” or a guaranteed slot: report it to DCI on 0800 722 203.
See the government recruitment tracker for open rounds and set up free job alerts.
Before the interview, get your documents in order with the clearance certificates helper.