𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

The National Assembly, yesterday, debated the Public Service Commission (Amendment Bill) 2023.  

The Bill seeks to amend the Public Service Commission Act of 2017, to prescribe the mandatory retirement age of civil servants at 60 years.

Hon. Benjamin Mwangi (Embakasi Central), who sponsored the Bill, told the House that the amendments are meant to increase job vacancies available to Kenyan citizens below the age of 60 years on account that they possess rare knowledge, skills and competencies for the time required in service.

During the debate, MPs who contributed to the debate noted, that the Bill, if enacted into Law, would obligate the Public Service Commission (PSC) and other appointing authorities to be keen on succession planning and to take necessary steps to ensure that they train other persons in the organizations to take up these positions.

Majority Party Whip, Hon. Naomi Waqo (Marsabit), said that the Bill would cater for the interests of persons with disabilities, as it gives them the benefit of retiring at 65 years, and would also affirm the maximum period for public servants to serve in acting capacity to a maximum of 12 months.  

“It will give people opportunities by increasing vacancies for our young people to secure employment. Our young people are vibrant, innovative and active and will bring new synergy to public service,” said Hon. Waqo.

Hon. Rahim Dawood (Imenti North) noted that the Bill would cure a major crisis in Public Service, where persons in senior management positions end up serving in an acting capacity for an extremely long time.

“I suggest that in instances where we have persons in an acting capacity, if the six months lapse, then after 12 months the person who is holding the position in acting capacity should be substantively employed for the job,” said Hon. Dawood. 

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga) proposed that the retirement age should not be fixed in law, and ought to exist in Government policies to allow any administration that comes in force to set the age.

“I believe retirement age should be determined by such factors as demographic trends, and gender dynamics of the country. If you have a trend like what we have now in Kenya where we have younger people, the retirement age should be lowered to address the demographic trends of our country,” said Hon. Atandi. 

Other MPs who contributed to the debate noted that there needs to be a progressive amendment to the retirement age cap in line with the changing trends in unemployment, population and other domestic factors.