Over the past two years, Kenya’s civil service has experienced a significant reduction in its permanent and pensionable workforce, with nearly 9,000 employees exiting government ministries.
This decline, according to a report by Business Daily is primarily attributed to retirements and natural attrition, as the government maintains a hiring freeze to control the public wage bill.
Important Facts in Relation to Drop in Numbers
- Declining Workforce: The number of civil servants covered under medical insurance schemes decreased to 133,980 by June 2024, down from 142,885 in June 2022.
- Hiring Freeze: Since December 2013, the government has imposed a moratorium on new employment in the civil service, with exceptions in critical sectors such as security, education, and health. This policy aims to manage the burgeoning public wage bill.
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- Internship Programs: To bridge the staffing gap, the government has intensified the recruitment of graduate interns. In the financial year ending June 2024, a record 9,100 graduates were placed on one-year contracts across various ministries and agencies, a significant increase from the 3,902 interns recruited the previous year.
- Payroll Audit: The current fiscal year has seen a suspension of new hiring to facilitate a comprehensive audit of public payrolls. This initiative aims to eliminate ghost workers and ensure adherence to approved salary scales.
Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairperson Anthony Muchiri acknowledged the ongoing staff exits and and said the commission is putting in efforts to address succession challenges through the recruitment of young graduates and promotion of existing officers.
