- The University of Nairobi has the highest number of staff serving beyond the retirement age in Kenya.
- There are around 1423 staff still serving across different public institutions in Kenya.
- The civil servants age limit is 60 and 65 years for people living with disabilities.
On July 5, 2024, President Ruto directed all civil servants aged 60 and above to proceed to retirement as part of the austerity measures, following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, stating that there would be no extensions to their tenure.
The decision was made following the weeks of anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests across the country, majorly staged by the many unemployed youths in Kenya. This would also create room for the jobless but qualified Kenyans to take up vacant positions in the public sector.
However, the Employment and Labour Relations Court suspended the directive pending determination following a petition filed by Carolne Wambui Mwangi—restraining the Attorney-General or anyone from enforcing the presidential directive.
According to the recent (2023/2024) report by the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Values and Principles, there are a total of 1,423 staff still serving beyond the set age limit (60 years) across more than 192 institutions within the public sector in Kenya.
Only persons with disabilities who are registered members of the National Council for People Living with Disabilities are allowed to serve until the age of 65.
In 2009, the government revised the retirement age from 55 to 60 years, a decision aimed at retaining skilled individuals and ascertaining proper service delivery.
In 2023, the National Assembly debated the Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, which sought to amend the Public Service Commission Act of 2017 to prescribe the mandatory retirement age of 60 years for all civil servants. The amendment was meant to create jobs for Kenyan citizens below 60 years old.
Public universities have the highest number of staff (808) serving beyond the retirement age, led by the University of Nairobi at 170. State Corporations and SAGAs is second with a total of 369 staff—led by the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization at 114.
Ministries and state departments are third with a total of 154 staff serving beyond the retirement age limit. State House has the highest number of staff (47) under this category who are yet to retire, despite meeting the age limit.
The minimum age for entry-level positions in the civil service is generally 18, with the maximum age often at 35 years. Qualified candidates of up to 45 or 50 years old can be considered for positions.
