The Public Service Commission (PSC) has directed all government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to submit their annual recruitment plans by July 1, 2025, in a bid to streamline staffing and enhance accountability in the public sector.

Speaking on Thursday, May 22, 2025, PSC Chairperson Anthony Muchiri said the commission will now oversee and monitor all government recruitment in a centralised manner. He warned that agencies that fail to comply with the new directive risk missing out on budget allocations..

“The PSC has institutionalised an annual recruitment plan. All MDAs will be required to submit their recruitment plans to the commission by July 1 every year, beginning this year,” Muchiri said.

Curbing wastage

The move is part of broader reforms aimed at aligning Kenya’s public service with the fiscal demands of global lenders such as the World Bank and IMF. The government is under pressure to reduce its ballooning wage bill and redirect funds to key development initiatives.

“This will help the commission and the National Treasury anticipate staffing needs and allocate resources more effectively,” Muchiri noted.

Boosting transparency

Muchiri added that the new structure would eliminate irregular hiring and ensure timely recruitment in essential sectors like education, health, and security. It will also curb nepotism by enforcing a transparent, auditable process.

Additionally, the PSC is finalising the 2025–2031 service charter, which is expected to provide clearer service delivery benchmarks across all public agencies.

Digital reforms

The hiring directive adds to ongoing digital reforms across government. Treasury CS John Mbadi recently instructed principal secretaries and accounting officers to fully adopt the Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system by April 7. The platform is designed to enhance transparency in procurement and budgeting processes.

With the current wage freeze expected to lapse this year, the PSC hopes these reforms will restore order in public staffing and ensure a more professional and responsive civil service.