Over 800 Kenyan government workers fired in a year amid rising misconduct cases
The sharp rise suggests an increase in cases of gross misconduct and criminal convictions among public officers, though the PSC did not provide specific explanations for the trend.
Over 800 government workers were dismissed from public service in the fiscal year ending June 2024, marking a sharp 67.5 per cent increase from the previous year, according to new data from the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The sharp rise suggests an increase in cases of gross misconduct and criminal convictions among public officers, though the PSC did not provide specific explanations for the trend.
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Despite the spike in dismissals, overall exits from public service declined to 8,411 from 10,148 in the preceding year. The decline was largely attributed to a 37.7 per cent drop in retirements, which fell from 7,022 to 4,375.
Similarly, exits due to death dropped by 35 per cent to 413 from 594 in the same period.
On the other hand, resignations increased by 19.2 per cent to 1,602 from 1,343, while contract expirations saw a marginal rise of one per cent, reaching 665 from 658.
"8,411 or 3.6 per cent of officers out of 231,830 exited the service," reads the report.
"The highest number of officers who exited the service were from State Corporations with 4,505 or 53.6 per cent of the exits, followed by ministries and State departments with 2,129 or 25.3 per cent, and public universities with 1,160 at 11.8 per cent."
The report also notes that the total number of officers in public service fell by 8.5 per cent to 231,830 as of June 2024, down from 253,318 in the previous year. The decline reflects a higher rate of exits compared to new entrants into the public sector during the period.
Public servants can be dismissed for gross misconduct, conviction of a serious criminal offence, or if their removal is deemed to be in the public interest. Gross misconduct includes serious breaches of duty such as insubordination, abuse of office, or theft. Convictions that result in imprisonment also lead to automatic dismissal.
The PSC is responsible for overseeing the dismissal process, including reviewing appeals from dismissed workers. Employees accused of misconduct are usually placed on interdiction or temporary suspension while investigations are conducted.
If the misconduct is not criminal, the accused officer is required to respond to a show-cause letter before a disciplinary decision is made. Investigations are carried out by senior officers not directly involved in the case, and the process may lead to disciplinary action, including termination.
Civil servants have the right to appeal disciplinary decisions, including dismissals, to the PSC.
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