Government Spokes person Isaac Mwaura has announced that between 2024 and 2029, 43,976 public servants aged 55 and older will retire as part of new austerity measures.
The figure includes 39,360 individuals projected to retire based on the June 2024 payroll. The majority of these retirees are from state departments and devolved units.
Mwaura explained that this move aligns with President William Ruto’s directive to reduce the size of the public service, which had grown due to the extension of service terms for many public servants.
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He emphasized that the action reflects the President’s commitment to addressing the demands of the Gen-Z protesters.
“Arising from the happenings in July, part of the feedback from the gen-z’s included a requirement of public servants attaining 60 years to be released for retirement,” Mwaura said.
7000 to retire before 2024 fiscal year
In the short term, Mwaura revealed that 7,000 public servants are set to retire before the end of the 2024 financial year.
On July 5, amidst the Gen-Z demonstrations, President Ruto instructed that public servants who have attained the retirement age of 60 to retire.
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The President noted that the decision was driven by the need to reduce costs after the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024, which resulted in a Sh346 billion revenue deficit.
Previously, there were calls to lower the retirement age from the current 60 to 55.
However, this proposal faced opposition from the Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC) and County Pension Funds (CPF), who warned of potential strains on the pension system and the loss of experienced workers if the retirement age were reduced.
