President William Ruto has directed all public institutions and independent commissions to adopt merit-based recruitment and performance-driven promotions as part of a wider government push to improve efficiency, accountability and service delivery across the public sector.
Speaking during the National Productivity and Performance Conference in Nairobi on Friday, the President said public service recruitment must be guided by competence, fairness and transparency to ensure only qualified individuals are entrusted with serving Kenyans.
“We expect all independent commissions and public institutions to recruit on merit, fairness and transparency so that only the most competent individuals have the opportunity to serve the people of Kenya,” Ruto said.
The Head of State also instructed the Public Service Commission (PSC) to ensure promotions are based on measurable performance rather than years spent in service.
“Promotion in the public service must be earned through demonstrated results and impact, not merely through longevity,” he said.
Push for Accountability
Ruto emphasized that public institutions must uphold the constitutional values and principles of governance outlined in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution, describing them as the foundation of an effective and citizen-focused public service.
He warned that the government would reward high-performing employees while taking firm action against those who fail to meet expected standards.
“We will reward performers and innovators, and we will not hesitate to sanction non-performers. Public service must deliver value to citizens,” the President stated.
According to Ruto, improving productivity in government remains critical to accelerating national development and restoring public confidence in state institutions.
Embracing Technology and Skills Development
The President also called for greater adoption of digital technologies across government agencies, saying innovation will play a central role in improving efficiency and service delivery.
He noted that the government would continue investing in digital systems and human capital development to ensure public servants remain responsive to emerging challenges.
“As technology continues to transform the workplace, our public servants must embrace continuous learning, upskilling and reskilling to remain effective and competitive,” he said.
Ruto particularly highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, urging workers to adapt to the changing demands of modern governance.
Counties Urged to Follow Suit
The President challenged county governments to embrace similar productivity reforms, urging the Council of Governors to champion performance management and benchmarking across counties.
He said healthy competition among counties could help improve service delivery and ensure taxpayers receive value for money.
“The productivity agenda should not be confined to the national government. Counties must also adopt performance-driven systems and learn from one another to improve outcomes for citizens,” he said.
SRC Pushes Performance-Based Pay
Ruto’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions on introducing performance-based remuneration in the public sector.
Recently, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) revealed plans to explore compensation models that reward productivity and results rather than fixed salary progression.
SRC Chairperson Sammy Chepkwony said the commission is studying international best practices, including systems used in countries such as Singapore, where a portion of employee earnings is linked directly to performance.
The proposed reforms are expected to form part of broader efforts aimed at enhancing accountability, improving efficiency and ensuring public resources are used effectively across government institutions.
