Kenya President William Ruto announces workforce reforms to boost productivity

President William Ruto outlined a series of workforce reforms aimed at strengthening Kenya's productivity and accelerating economic transformation. Speaking at the National Productivity and Performance Conference in Nairobi, Ruto emphasized merit, fairness and transparency in public‑service hiring and promotion, and pledged to reward performance and innovation.

He highlighted investments in human capital, noting the need for specialised training in research, science and technology to match global economic shifts. The reforms are linked to the Digital Outsourcing Jobs for Kenya’s Youth initiative, which equips young people, women and persons with disabilities with market‑relevant digital skills and connects them to global outsourcing opportunities through platforms such as Ajira Digital and Jitume Centres.

Ruto cited examples from South Korea and Singapore, asserting that Kenya will follow a similar path of skills development and education to unlock its development ambitions.