Government seeks to introduce mandatory retirement age

The Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill proposes mandatory retirement age to increase job opportunities for the youth
The Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill proposes mandatory retirement age to increase job opportunities for the youth.
The Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which has been proposed by Embakasi Central Member of Parliament Benjamin Gathiru, states that having a mandatory retirement age set at 60 years will create job opportunities for young Kenyans.
Gathiru lamented that the civil service was laden with senior citizens who were denying qualified young Kenyans a chance to serve the nation.
Once approved by Parliament and signed into law by President William Ruto, the Bill will effectively amend the Public Service Commission Act, of 2017.
“The amendments are meant to increase the job vacancies available to Kenyan citizens below the age of sixty years,” the Bill reads in part.
“These positions are sometimes held by persons beyond the age of sixty years on account that they possess rare knowledge, skills and competencies for the time required in the service.”
While the Bill does not disagree with the experience and acumen of senior citizens, it directs that the Public Service Commission and other appointing authorities should be keen on succession planning.
All schools and universities to pay school fees via eCitizen; Ruto
Two Citizen TV senior reporters Hassan Mugambi and Chemutai Goin leave for government roles
Government responds after 59 students suffer from suspected food poisoning
Kenyan Marathoner banned for 8 years
List of common types of forgery on academic certificates; PSC
This will include among others, taking the necessary steps to ensure that they train other people in the organisations to take up these positions.
Apart from enacting the mandatory retirement age, the Bill also seeks to eliminate a loophole where civil servants work for years in an acting capacity.
Once signed into law, no government officer will be allowed to work in an acting capacity for more than six months.
“The period of six months prescribed should provide adequate time for the organisation to recruit and substantively fill the position,” the Bill dictates.
While it will not be an offence to go past six months, if a civil servant decides to do so, the officer will not earn any acting allowances.
Also read,
Three strange men who visited Kiptum’s home days before his tragic death arrested
Shock as 80-year-old man hacked to death, eyes and tongue missing
Ahmednasir slams Ruto over new KSh 240b Eurobond loan
How police rearrested wanted fugitive Kelvin Kangethe in a night ambush
Man found dead in his house after reported missing from work
Parliament wants state to accord top sportsmen VIP security following Kelvin Kiptum death
Follow us