Felix Koskei, the Head of the Public Service, has issued a firm reminder to appointing authorities regarding the mandatory retirement age for public officers, stating that no extensions to service should occur beyond the stipulated limits.
In a circular dated August 5, Koskei highlighted that public officers must retire at the age of 60, with the retirement age set at 65 for individuals with disabilities.
Citing Section 80 (1)(a) and (b) of the Public Service Commission Act of 2017, Koskei emphasized the legal obligation for public officers to retire upon reaching the mandatory age, noting that appointing authorities lack the discretion to extend service beyond this age.
The circular has been disseminated to a wide range of officials, including Principal Secretaries, Accounting Officers, clerks of the Senate and National Assembly, and CEOs of various state bodies.
Koskei also specified that retirement guidelines for Academic Staff in Public Universities, Research Scientists, and Judicial Officers will be determined by existing legislation.
Koskei’s directive comes amid concerns that some authorities have disregarded this retirement policy, with many extending service contracts in violation of the law.
As of August, an estimated 43,976 public officers are projected to retire within the next five years, raising significant concerns about workforce succession and the need for new talent.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura reinforced this message, highlighting that the generation of job vacancies resulting from these retirements will prioritize employment opportunities for youth.
This directive aligns with President William Ruto’s announcement on July 5, which mandated public servants aged 60 and above to proceed on retirement without any extensions. The President’s austerity measures aim to streamline government operations and ensure compliance with public service regulations.
Current data reveals that over 4,500 civil servants are aged 60 and above, while an additional 25,879 will reach retirement age within the next three years, necessitating careful workforce planning by the government.
