Public service employment in Kenya has continued to grow steadily between 2020 and 2024, with the workforce crossing the one million mark in 2024, reaching 1.023 million employees, according to a report by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
In reports released on Monday, September 8, the commission said this represents a 3.1 per cent increase compared to 2023.
“Generally, the number of public service employees has been on a consistent upward trend over the years, crossing the one million mark in 2024 to reach 1.023 million employees,” SRC noted.
An analysis of the Economic Survey 2025 further shows that wage employment in the modern sector grew by 2.4 per cent, rising from 3.1 million in 2023 to 3.2 million in 2024.
Of this, about 2.2 million workers are in the private sector, while 1 million are employed in the public sector.
SRC Report Shows TSC Remains Kenya’s Largest Public Employer
The Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) has consistently remained the largest public service employer, registering the highest growth in employment at 5.2 per cent.
Its employees increased from 390,400 in 2023 to 410,700 in 2024.
Ministries and other extra-budgetary institutions have also remained the second largest public service employer.
In ministries and extra-budgetary institutions, employment rose from 233,600 workers in 2023 to 236,700 in 2024, representing a 1.3 percent increase.
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County governments also expanded their workforce, adding 5,100 new employees over the same period.
Staff numbers grew from 221,400 in 2023 to 226,500 in 2024, a 2.3 percent rise, reflecting continued expansion under devolution.
Parastatal bodies and state-controlled corporations recorded slower growth. Parastatal employment rose 1.2 percent, from 98,900 workers in 2023 to 100,100 in 2024.
Meanwhile, government-controlled corporations registered a similar 1.2 percent growth, with staff increasing from 48,600 to 49,200.
Table: Wage Employment in the Public Service (2020–2024)
| Category | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024* | % Change (23–24) |
| Ministries & Extra-Budgetary Institutions | 206,100 | 220,700 | 226,000 | 233,600 | 236,700 | 1.3% |
| Teachers Service Commission (TSC) | 331,100 | 349,900 | 348,600 | 390,400 | 410,700 | 5.2% |
| Parastatal Bodies | 95,700 | 96,700 | 97,800 | 98,900 | 100,100 | 1.2% |
| Gov’t-Controlled Corporations | 47,100 | 47,500 | 48,100 | 48,600 | 49,200 | 1.2% |
| County Governments | 204,600 | 208,100 | 217,300 | 221,400 | 226,500 | 2.3% |
| Total | 884,700 | 923,000 | 937,800 | 992,900 | 1,023,200 | 3.1% |
Requests from Public Institutions to SRC
In the first quarter of FY 2024/2025, the SRC received 30 requests from public service institutions, with an estimated cost implication of approximately Ksh 411.7 million.
After review, SRC’s advice translated to a cost implication of about Ksh 281.4 million, representing 68.4% of the total.
The majority of the requests were related to allowances and benefits (76%), followed by productivity and performance (10%), collective bargaining negotiations (7%), and job evaluation and salary structures (7%).
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During the fourth quarter of FY 2024/2025, SRC received 98 requests with a significantly higher estimated cost implication of Ksh 60.2 billion.
Of this, SRC approved requests worth approximately Ksh 36.5 billion, equivalent to 60.6% of the total.
Similar to the first quarter, most requests were on allowances and benefits (67%), followed by collective bargaining negotiations (13%), productivity and performance (12%), and job evaluation and salary structures (8%).
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