Civil servants in Kenya will have to endure the current tough economic conditions without any salary increments, as the Public Service Commission (PSC) has ruled out a pay review in the near future. The commission has attributed the decision to the country’s struggling economy, which has been significantly affected by the ongoing global financial crisis.
PSC Vice-Chairperson Mary Kimonye stated that salary reviews are directly linked to the government’s revenue collection, which has remained stagnant due to economic challenges. She warned that Kenyans should brace for even tougher times ahead.
“So long as the economy is not growing at the rate that we want it to grow, even the agitation for higher salaries just becomes an agitation,” Kimonye said during the sixth Women in HR convention in Naivasha, organized by the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM).
The PSC’s stance comes as a blow to thousands of civil servants who have been hoping for salary adjustments to cushion them against the high cost of living. The commission also acknowledged that economic hardships have contributed to rising mental health issues among government employees.
Kimonye revealed that the government is working on strategies to address mental health concerns, including appointing mental health champions in every department. “There was a time when cases of suicides were rampant, especially within the police force, and the government has put in place mechanisms to deal with mental health,” she stated.
Besides financial struggles, gender representation in the public service remains a concern. Kimonye pointed out that women only account for 38% of public service employees, compared to 62% of men. She emphasized the need to equip civil servants with the right skills and competencies to enhance service delivery.
IHRM Executive Director Quresha Abddullahi echoed similar sentiments, noting that although many women serve as HR practitioners, few hold senior positions. She called for the implementation of existing policies to improve workplace diversity and encourage more women to take up leadership roles.
IHRM Vice-Chair Beatrice Bii reiterated the organization’s commitment to promoting women’s leadership in HR and advocating for better representation in key institutions.
