Kenya’s Geoffrey Ruku has unveiled a major proposal aimed at transforming the country’s civil service by ending permanent and pensionable employment. In its place, the government plans to adopt fixed-term contracts for all civil servants.
Proposed Contract System
The announcement, made during the launch of the Public Service Commission’s Strategic Plan for 2025–2029, outlines contracts of three to five years, tied to performance targets.
Civil servants who meet their objectives would have contracts renewed, while those who fail would exit the service at term end.
Ruku emphasized that the move is intended to enhance accountability, reduce complacency among long-serving staff, and address issues such as absenteeism among supervisors while younger employees consistently meet their duties.
Policy Process
The Cabinet Secretary indicated that the proposal will first go before a Cabinet committee and is expected to reach full Cabinet in March.
If approved, the policy will impact thousands of government workers, including those approaching retirement under the traditional pensionable system.
Debates and Concerns
While the reform seeks to modernize the civil service and improve service delivery, it faces pushback from public service unions, which argue that moving from permanent to contract positions could undermine job security, morale, and worker welfare.
Critics warn that without adequate safeguards, such a shift may exacerbate challenges in pay, staffing, and institutional stability.
Government officials maintain that performance-based contracting is necessary to align roles with measurable outcomes and foster a more disciplined workforce.
The ongoing discussions are expected to intensify as stakeholders negotiate the balance between accountability and employee protection.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining how the reforms are implemented and whether civil servants and unions will accept the proposed changes, which could significantly reshape Kenya’s public administration.
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