A 3-year Hiring Freeze Imposed on Government Agencies by Treasury

There will be no recruitment of staff in the next three years unless a ministry, state department or agency (MDA) gets the approval of the Treasury. This is according to Treasury CS Ukur Yatani, who says the Governemnt wants the saved funds prioritised to drive the Big Four agenda “to build on the progress made so far as the state confronts unemployment, poverty and inequality.”

Yatani, in a circular to all principal secretaries and other accounting officers of the national and county governments, says there will be no costing for recruitment in the 2019-20 budget.

The directive further stops ministries from seeking funds for interns or any planned staff upgrades, meaning government workers may not get a pay rise soon.

Ministries will also be required to get written approval from Treasury confirming availability of funds before putting a salary review request to SRC.

Even when approved, the money will be given on the basis of how the funding need helps achieve President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four agenda.