Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has instructed Anthony Muchiri, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC), to halt the hiring of personnel for government positions.

This directive, attributed to austerity measures advised by the National Treasury following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, was communicated in an official communication to Muchiri.

Kuria emphasized that these measures, based on recommendations from Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u during his budget presentation to Parliament, were crucial for managing excessive recurrent expenditures.

“As outlined during his Budget presentation to Parliament on 13th June 2024, this measure is critical in controlling runaway recurrent expenditures and aligning with austerity measures across government,” CS Kuria stated.

The CS underscored the alignment of this action with the goal, mandated by the Public Finance Management Act 2012, to cap the public wage bill at 35% of national revenue.

He highlighted that current expenditure levels on salaries and benefits for public servants were unsustainable and strained national finances, hindering allocations for key national priorities.

“Our current expenditure on salaries, allowances, and benefits for public servants exceeds sustainable levels, placing undue strain on our national finances,” the CS reiterated.

Kuria clarified that during the employment freeze, the government would conduct a comprehensive audit of public payrolls.

This decision coincided with President Ruto’s recent order to freeze pay increases for all government officials, aiming to ensure fiscal responsibility across all branches of government in light of the Finance Bill’s withdrawal.