Kenya’s Proposed Retirement Age

Kenya’s Proposed Retirement Age

Kenya’s Proposed Retirement Age

Kenyan public personnel and teachers’ retirement policies are about to undergo a radical change according to a new proposed bill. The Public Service Commission Act of 2017 now in effect sets the retirement age at sixty years old. A legislative committee, however, is advocating for a 55-year limit, citing a number of advantages.

It is anticipated that lowering the retirement age will lessen the financial burden that high pension costs have placed on the government. This plan has the support of the Labour committee of the National Assembly, suggesting that the current law may be amended.

The amendment’s primary proponent, Benjamin Gathiru, MP for Embakasi Central, is highlighting the necessity of preventing officials from working in official capacities for prolonged periods of time. Fabian Muli, the MP for Kangundo, joins the request for modifications and emphasizes the significance of giving youth interests first priority during the legislative process.

The government’s 2009 modification, which increased the retirement age from 55 to 60 years, is a substantial change from this idea. The modification was brought about by difficulties in managing pension expenses, indicating the government’s continued attempts to handle budgetary concerns while fostering youth work prospects.

Although the Bill acknowledges the wisdom and experience of senior persons, it instructs the Public Service Commission and other appointing bodies to give succession planning careful consideration.

This will entail, among other things, doing what has to be done to guarantee that they provide the appropriate training for others inside the organizations to fill these roles.

In addition to setting a fixed retirement age, the Bill aims to close a loophole that allows federal servants to continue working in an acting capacity for an extended period of time. No government employee will be permitted to serve in an acting role for longer than six months after the bill is signed into law.