CS Moses Kuria Suspends All Public Service Recruitments
The government has suspended all new and ongoing public service recruitment to control the escalating wage bill and recurring expenses.
This announcement was made in a directive issued on Wednesday by Moses K. Kuria, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management.
Moses K. Kuria explained that the directive aligns with the austerity measures discussed during Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u’s Budget presentation on June 13.
In a letter to Amb. Anthony Muchiri, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Kuria emphasized the urgency of the directive.
He stated that this measure is essential to control runaway recurrent expenditures and to align with austerity measures across the government.
Kuria highlighted that Kenya’s expenditure on public servant salaries, allowances, and benefits has surpassed sustainable levels, straining the country’s finances.
He noted that the current expenditure on these items hinders the ability to allocate resources towards essential national priorities.
Audit and Clean-Up
During the employment suspension, the government will conduct a comprehensive audit and clean-up of public payrolls.
In view of expected budget cuts in the ongoing budget rationalization, Kuria urged the halt of any new recruitment and any ongoing recruitment that has not been concluded.
A tripartite committee will be formed to oversee and evaluate recruitment initiatives. This committee will include representatives from the Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management, the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning, and the Public Service Commission.
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According to CS Kuria, future hiring in the public sector will be based solely on genuine operational requirements.
He stated that all new and ongoing recruitment, including interviews for shortlisted candidates in public service, are to be halted immediately. Any future hiring in the public sector must be justified by genuine operational needs.
CS Moses Kuria Suspends All Public Service Recruitments
