CS Kuria asks Public Service Commission to suspend recruitment

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has asked the Public Service Commission to suspend all civil service hiring.

The CS,  in a letter, revealed that during the suspension, the government will conduct an audit and clean all public payrolls.

"The purpose of this letter is to request you to suspend new and ongoing recruitment, including ongoing interviews for shortlisted candidates in public service, as you await the establishment of the tripartite committee to clear the most critical requests in line with the fiscal reality in the country," Kuria said.

The letter dated July 3, 2024, was addressed to PSC chairperson Anthony Muchiri and copied to Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung'u and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

CS Kuria pointed out that the move was aimed at controlling recurrent expenditures and aligning with austerity measures across the government sectors.

Moving forward, Kuria highlighted that hiring in the public sector must be justified by genuine operational needs.

He noted that Kenya's current expenditure on salaries, allowances, and benefits for public servants exceeds sustainable levels.

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He explained that the situation places undue strain on the national finances hindering the ability to allocate resources towards essential national priorities.

"In view of expected budget cuts in the ongoing budget rationalisation, therefore, I urge you to halt any new recruitment and any that is ongoing and has not been concluded," Kuria said.

"During the suspension of employment, the government will conduct an audit and clean all public payrolls," he added.

Kuria also announced that the government will form a tripartite committee to evaluate the ongoing recruitment initiatives to ensure compliance with reducing the public wage bill directive.

The committee will consist of representatives from the Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management, Public Service Commission and the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning.

"Reference is made to the recent directive issued by the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning Njuguna Ndung'u, regarding the total freeze on employment of staff joining the public service for the next one year," he said.

Kuria added that the move is occasioned as outlined during the Budget presentation to Parliament on June 13, 2024.