Ruto announces end of tenure extension after retirement age for public servants

President William Ruto has announced that all public servants who have reached the retirement age of 60 must proceed to retirement immediately.

Speaking at State House on Friday, July 5, 2024, Ruto insisted that those who were already 60 years old should retire without delay.

Ruto announcement

He made it clear that there would be no extensions to the tenure of service under any circumstances.

"Henceforth, public servants who attain the retirement age of 60 shall be required to immediately proceed on retirement, with no extensions to their tenure of service whatsoever," he announced.

This statement comes months after Salaries and Remunerations Committee (SRC) chairperson Lyn Mengich expressed that the mandatory retirement age in Kenya should remain at 60.

Mengich argued that lowering the retirement age would force the nation to incur a higher pensionable liability as more Kenyans would become eligible for pensions.

She further contended that it would be impractical to retire employees at a relatively young age while they still possess valuable experience that strengthens the Kenyan workforce.

Currently, the stipulated retirement age in Kenya is 60, with an exception for people with disabilities, who retire at 65.

Ruto's measures

Ruto's announcement is part of a broader effort by his government to cut down on government expenditure.

Other measures announced by the President include the dissolution of 47 state corporations. The staff currently employed in these corporations will be transferred to ministries and other state agencies.

The President announced a 50% reduction in the number of government advisors and the removal of budgets for the offices of the First Lady and Second Lady.

He has also suspended the hiring of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs).