The County Government of Nyeri has converted 978 employees from 11 county departments from contractual employment to permanent and pensionable terms.

According to Nyeri Governor, Dr Mutahi Kahiga, the move is aimed at boosting the morale of the staff who have been serving on contractual terms ranging from one to three years.

The county boss noted that the transition will also offer the employees job security and access to pension benefits. He noted that a workforce that enjoys greater employment security is better positioned to concentrate on its responsibilities and deliver quality services to residents.

Nyeri county staff during a ceremony held at the Nyeri National Polytechnic to issue letters to county staff who were recently converted to permanent and pensionable terms. The move is aimed at boosting the morale of the 978 staff who have been serving on contractual terms ranging from one to three years.

“As a county government, we recognise that our employees are one of our most important resources. Investing in their welfare is therefore not separate from our development agenda; it is an essential part of achieving it,” said Dr Kahiga.

“Permanent and pensionable terms provide greater employment stability and peace of mind. They enable officers to plan for their families, invest in personal development and make informed decisions about their future. When public servants have greater confidence in their employment and retirement arrangements, they are better placed to focus on their responsibilities and deliver quality services to citizens,” he added.

Out of the 978 employees who were handed their letters, 859 have been serving on contracts, while 119 are staff recruited under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme. The county boss said UHC employees who were inherited from the national government will now serve under the county department of health, with their appointments being backdated to July 1, while the change of employment terms for 859 county employees from the 11 county departments will take effect from November 1.

Dr Kahiga that committing its staff to permanent and pensionable terms will save the county resources that it would have otherwise paid as gratuity at the end of their contracts with Dr Kahiga noting that the county intends to utilise the saved resources to address human resource shortage in other critical departments.

“At the lapse of the contract, the county government is required to pay the former employee 31 per cent of their income and that is a very big burden for county governments but by committing them to permanent and pensionable terms we will enlist them into a pension scheme where they will contribute 12 per cent of their monthly salary and the county contributes 15 per cent which they will enjoy upon retirement. This is a huge financial  relief to county governments,” he said.

Dr Kahiga also highlighted the age profile of the beneficiaries of the transition, noting that the majority were young officers. He said that the county will be banking on their energy, creativity and fresh perspectives to shape the future of the county’s public service. He also challenged the officers to embrace innovation, adopt appropriate technologies and develop practical solutions to challenges affecting service delivery.

“I urge you to use these strengths to improve the way we work, embrace appropriate technology, solve practical problems and make county services more accessible and responsive,” he told the county staff.

The county boss however, cautioned that improved employment terms must be matched by better performance and measurable results. He called on the beneficiaries to reciprocate the county’s commitment to their welfare through improved service to residents and to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and discipline during their tour of duty.

“Our citizens should see the benefits of this milestone in shorter service-delivery timelines, greater responsiveness, better management of public resources and improved satisfaction with county services,” said Dr Kahiga.

by Wangari Mwangi