Public Service Commission (PSC) has revealed that over 113,000 government positions remain unfilled across public institutions.
In its latest report on compliance with the values and principles outlined in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution for the financial year 2023/2024, the PSC outlined the gaps in governance, ethics, and accountability standards across ministries, state departments, and agencies.
According to the PSC report, a total of 310,735 posts were approved across 309 evaluated institutions, of which 197,395 (63.5 per cent) were filled, leaving 113,340 (36.5 per cent) vacant. The Commission has recommended urgent action to fill these gaps, particularly in technical fields where shortages threaten service delivery.
Only 70.5 per cent of public institutions conducted certificate authentication exercises, with 1,019 employees found to have fake documents.
Of these, 744 officers faced disciplinary action. To enhance accountability, the PSC has directed all government entities to complete the authentication of their staff’s qualifications and implement a system for continuous monitoring.
In addition to certificate verification, the PSC has mandated all public institutions to ensure that employees registered under professional bodies maintain an active practice status.
This requirement is expected to impact professionals in regulated fields such as law, medicine, and engineering, ensuring that only qualified personnel hold public office.
The PSC also flagged cases of officers working beyond the mandatory retirement age, with some continuing in public service despite having reached the statutory retirement threshold.
The findings also indicate disparities in employment, with 141,628 (61.1 per cent) of public officers aged between 19 and 46, while the average age of civil servants stands at 42.8 years.
Commission further noted that only 46.6 per cent of professionals attended Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training in the last financial year.
In a bid to curb unethical practices, the report recommends that all public institutions strengthen governance structures, establish anti-corruption mechanisms, and ensure transparency in recruitment and promotions.
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