NAIROBI, Kenya — Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has announced plans to transition all civil servants from permanent and pensionable terms to performance-based contracts under a proposed Public Service Transformation Policy.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the Public Service Commission Strategic Plan 2025–2029, Ruku said the proposal seeks to reform employment structures within government and address inefficiencies in service delivery.
“We are working on a public service transformation policy, which I will be doing a presentation to the cabinet committee next week, and later I will do a presentation to the full cabinet in March,” Ruku said.
He added: “It is high time as a government, and as a ministry, we see whether we can have employees or public servants on a contractual basis.”
Under the proposal, public officers would be engaged on renewable contracts of three or five years tied to performance targets. Those who meet agreed benchmarks would have their contracts renewed. Those who fail to meet expectations would exit the service.
“You are given a contract for three or five years. If you perform properly, you are given another contract for five years. If you don’t meet the contractual basis, you go and look for another job,” the CS said.
Constitutional and policy implications
The proposal marks a significant shift from Kenya’s long-standing permanent and pensionable employment framework in the public service. Article 232 of the Constitution outlines values and principles of public service, including high standards of professional ethics, accountability, transparency, and efficient use of resources.
Legal experts note that any overhaul of employment terms would require alignment with existing labour laws, including the Employment Act, and potentially legislative amendments governing pensions and public service schemes.
Ruku argued that permanent tenure has, in some cases, fostered complacency and a sense of entitlement among long-serving officers.
During the event, he cited absenteeism as a key concern informing the proposed reforms.
“All the young people who this commission has given jobs in different public offices arrive at their workplaces early enough, but their bosses are not in their offices at the right time,” he said.
He described the trend as evidence of declining accountability among sections of the public service.
Reform debate expected
If approved by Cabinet, the policy could trigger debate among public sector unions and labour rights advocates, who have historically defended permanent and pensionable terms as safeguards against political interference and arbitrary dismissal.
Supporters of performance contracting argue it could strengthen accountability, improve discipline, and enhance service delivery. Critics warn that contractual employment may undermine job security and institutional independence, particularly in sensitive roles.
Ruku maintained that the objective is to inject discipline and restore public confidence in government institutions.
“Transitioning to performance-based contracts will enhance discipline and improve service delivery across government institutions,” he said.
The Cabinet is expected to consider the proposal in March, setting the stage for what could become one of the most consequential public sector reforms in recent years.
