County Government Jobs in Kenya

Updated 2026-11-09

County governments are among Kenya’s biggest recruiters - health workers, ECDE teachers, revenue clerks, inspectorate officers, engineers, drivers and administrators across all 47 counties. But there is no single national portal: each County Public Service Board (CPSB) advertises and receives applications its own way. That is what this guide fixes - how the system works, where to watch, and how to apply without paying anyone a shilling.

Every CPSB says the same thing in its adverts: recruitment is free and uses no agents. Kilifi’s board states it charges no fees at any stage; Kajiado’s says it does not use agents. Anyone selling county "slots" is defrauding you - report them to the DCI.

How county hiring is organised

Each county’s CPSB (established under the County Governments Act) recruits for the county executive: departments like health, agriculture, roads, trade and education (ECDE and polytechnics).
The County Assembly Service Board hires separately for the assembly (clerks, research, hansard, sergeant-at-arms).
Big recruitments cluster around budget cycles and new administrations - counties like Kakamega (138 posts) and Kericho (460 posts) have run mass recruitments in recent cycles, and several counties advertise together in some months.
National-level jobs (ministries, parastatals, TSC) run through different bodies - covered in how to apply for government jobs in Kenya.

Where the adverts actually appear

The county’s own website and the CPSB’s site or portal - e.g. Nakuru runs a dedicated recruitment portal (recruitment.nakuru.go.ke), Migori’s board posts under "vacancies" on its site.
MyGov and the daily newspapers - counties publish adverts in the government weekly and the Nation/Standard, especially for senior posts.
County notice boards at the headquarters and sub-county offices - still the primary channel for lower-cadre posts in many counties.
Job boards and news sites republish county adverts - always click through to the county’s own advert for the authentic requirements and deadline before acting on a repost.

How applications work (it varies - read each advert)

Online portals: a growing group of counties (Nakuru, Kericho and others) take applications only through their recruitment portals - scanned ID, CV, certificates uploaded once, then apply per post.
Hand-delivered or posted applications: many boards still require a printed application letter, CV and certified copies in a sealed envelope marked with the position title, delivered to the board’s registry by the deadline.
What every advert asks for: national ID, CV, academic and professional certificates, and for many posts Chapter Six clearances - KRA, HELB, CRB, EACC and a Certificate of Good Conduct. Start the clearances early; they take weeks and most are needed at interview, not application.
Deadlines are hard: boards receive thousands of applications and disqualify late or mislabelled ones without reading them.

Improving your odds

County boards score against the advert’s requirements - mirror its exact language for qualifications and experience in your CV (how to write one) and application letter.
Residency can matter: counties lawfully consider county residents for some cadres, and ward-level balance is a real factor in mass recruitments - apply in counties where you can document residence.
Health workers: counties are the main employer of nurses, clinical officers and public-health staff - keep your professional registration current, it is verified.
Watch several counties at once rather than waiting for your home county’s cycle; adverts move in waves.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for county government jobs in Kenya?

Through the advertising county’s own channel - an online recruitment portal in counties that run one, or a hand-delivered application addressed to the CPSB secretary in counties that still take paper. Each advert states the only valid method; follow it exactly, including envelope or subject-line labelling.

Is there one portal for all county jobs?

No. All 47 County Public Service Boards recruit independently, on their own websites, portals and notice boards, plus newspaper and MyGov adverts. Watch the counties you can work in, and verify any republished advert against the county’s own notice.

Do county jobs require Chapter Six clearances?

Most adverts require them at interview stage: KRA tax compliance, HELB, CRB, EACC self-declaration and a Certificate of Good Conduct. They take weeks to obtain, so start as soon as you decide to apply.

Do I have to pay to get a county government job?

No - every board states recruitment is free and agent-free, and several print it on the advert itself. Anyone selling influence or "slots" is committing fraud; report to the DCI with the evidence.

Can I apply to a county where I was not born?

Yes - public service is open to all Kenyans, though boards may lawfully weigh county residence for some cadres and seek ward balance in mass recruitment. Documented residence in the county you apply to helps where that applies.