President William Ruto has outlined a series of workforce reforms aimed at strengthening productivity, improving public service delivery, and accelerating Kenya’s economic transformation through investment in human capital.

Speaking at the National Productivity and Performance Conference at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi on June 19, 2026, Ruto said the government is committed to promoting merit, fairness, and transparency in the Public Service.

He noted that hiring and promotion processes should reward performance and innovation to unlock the potential of the workforce.

“We are committed to upholding merit, fairness, and transparency in our Public Service. By firmly embedding these principles into hiring and promotion processes, and rewarding performance and innovation, we will unleash the immense talent and expertise in our workforce,” he said.

The president said Kenya’s development ambitions depend on the skills, discipline, and productivity of its people, adding that investments in education and training remain central to national growth.

Focus on skills development

Ruto said the country must continue investing in human capital while equipping workers with new skills to respond to changes in the global economy.

He pointed to countries such as South Korea and Singapore, which prioritised education and skills development as part of their economic transformation strategies. According to the President, Kenya is pursuing a similar path by expanding specialised training in research, science, and technology.

“No nation can rise higher than the collective skills, discipline, and diligence of its people. To fully realise our developmental aspirations, we must make bold, substantial investments in our human capital,” he added.

He added that specialised training programmes are intended to build the expertise needed to drive productivity, innovation, and economic growth across various sectors.

Government expands digital jobs initiative

The president’s remarks come as the government advances programmes aimed at creating employment opportunities for young people through digital skills development.

The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy recently launched the Digital Outsourcing Jobs for Kenya’s Youth initiative, which seeks to equip young people with market-relevant digital skills and connect them to global outsourcing opportunities.

The programme builds on existing platforms such as Ajira Digital and Jitume Centres, which support training and access to online work opportunities. Government officials say the initiative is part of broader efforts to position Kenya as a regional hub for information technology and business process outsourcing services.

Principal Secretary John Tanui has said the programme will target youth, women, persons with disabilities, and other underserved groups as part of efforts to expand participation in the digital economy.

Ruto said continued investment in education, technology, research, and workforce development will help strengthen national productivity and support long-term economic growth.