End of Permanent Jobs? CS Ruku Plans to Move All Civil Servants to Contracts

Kenya’s civil servants could soon be working under fixed-term contracts rather than permanent and pensionable employment, if a bold new government proposal makes it through Cabinet.

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Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced the sweeping reform on Thursday, February 26, during the launch of the Public Service Commission Strategic Plan 2025–2029. The proposal forms part of a broader Public Service Transformation Policy his ministry is currently developing.

A Contract-Based Future for Civil Servants

Under the proposed framework, public servants would be employed on three or five-year renewable contracts directly tied to performance targets. Those who meet their obligations would have their contracts renewed. Those who fall short would be required to leave the public service.

“You are given a contract for three or five years. If you perform properly, you are given another contract for five years. If you don’t meet the contractual basis, you go and look for another job,” Ruku said.

The CS confirmed he will present the proposal to a Cabinet committee next week, before taking it to the full Cabinet in March for consideration and approval.

Tackling Entitlement and Absenteeism

Ruku was candid about the problems driving the proposed shake-up. He argued that the security offered by permanent employment has bred complacency, entitlement, and poor discipline across government institutions.

Absenteeism, he said, is among the most glaring concerns. He pointed to a telling pattern he observed in public offices — young interns consistently arriving on time while their senior supervisors do not.

“All the young people who this commission has given jobs in different public offices arrive at their workplaces early enough, but their bosses are not in their offices at the right time,” Ruku noted.

He described this as evidence of a deepening culture of entitlement among long-serving public officers — one that performance-based contracts would be designed to dismantle.

Reform or Risk?

If approved, the policy would mark one of the most significant structural changes to Kenya’s public service in decades. The current permanent and pensionable employment model has long been a cornerstone of civil service work, offering job security that attracts talent into government roles.

Proponents of the reform argue that linking employment to measurable performance targets would drive accountability and improve service delivery for ordinary Kenyans. Critics, however, are likely to raise concerns about job security, potential political interference in contract renewals, and the risk of victimisation of workers who speak out against their superiors.

Public sector unions have not yet responded publicly to the announcement. Their reaction, when it comes, will be closely watched.

For now, the proposal moves to Cabinet committee next week — and Kenya’s 800,000-plus civil servants will be watching closely to see what comes next.

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