Government unveils policy to replace ageing public servants with young workforce

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has announced a long-term government plan to gradually replace Kenya’s ageing public service workforce with younger employees.

Addressing the press on Thursday, July 23, Ruku said his ministry is developing a Public Sector Transformation Policy that will guide the transition over the next 20 to 30 years.

He noted that the policy has been informed by data on the current public service workforce, including employees’ age, skills and existing staffing gaps.

According to him, the government is currently conducting a comprehensive assessment to determine gaps in the public sector before implementing reforms and preparing the sector for future generations.

Ruku said one of the key objectives of the policy is to ensure what he termed the ‘Gen Z-ification’ of the public service, arguing that Kenya’s youthful population should be reflected in state institutions.

“The Ministry of Public Service is committed to public sector transformation reforms. These reforms are gradual and well thought out,” Ruku announced.

“We are developing a Public Sector Transformation Policy guided by data on the existing gaps in public service, the skills available and the age profile of the workforce,” he added.

He added that the policy will help the government identify how to gradually increase the participation of young Kenyans in public service over the coming decades.

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“Because we are a young nation, we want to ensure the Gen Z-ification of the public service. The policy will identify the gaps we have in public service and the appropriate measures the government will undertake over a period of not less than 20 to 30 years,” he stated.

Ruku emphasised that the reforms are not intended to happen immediately but will be implemented gradually through a structured policy framework for the next two to three decades. 

He said the government’s approach is based on evidence and long-term workforce planning rather than short-term recruitment.

Once finalised, the policy is expected to guide recruitment, succession planning, skills development and workforce renewal across government institutions to create a younger and more responsive public service.

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