President William Ruto has announced that civil servants who successfully mentor youth into the President’s Award Scheme will now be considered for promotions within the public service by the government through the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Speaking during a function at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, Ruto emphasised the importance of nurturing young people through the national youth development programme, revealing that in return the government would offer promotions on preference to public servants who have dedicated their time to the scheme.
“We did commit that we are going to look out for the gold awardees as we rationalise opportunities for those who want to work in the public service. We are going to consider the mentors of these young people, whether they are teachers or public servants, in their promotion and in their service to the nation,” Ruto said.
Currently, promotions in the public service are largely based on merit, performance appraisals, and length of service.
Staff performance is typically reviewed through annual appraisals, after which supervisors forward their recommendations to the Public Service Commission for consideration.
In some cases, competitive selection applies, particularly for senior or managerial positions where candidates may need to meet specific training or professional development requirements, and promotions are approved only when they satisfy both eligibility and performance criteria.
However, government policies such as affirmative action for youth, gender, or regional balance can also influence promotion decisions.
Meanwhile, the President’s Award Scheme targets young people between the ages of 14 and 24, guiding them through community service, expertise development, physical recreation, and adventurous journeys.
Completion of the scheme is recognised nationally and internationally, with gold, silver, and bronze awards reflecting different levels of achievement.
Meanwhile, Ruto instructed the Head of Public Service to secure alternative offices for the Presidential Award Agency, explaining that its former premises had been set aside for the development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices.
In addition, the President instructed the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Treasury to increase the budgetary allocation for the agency to strengthen its programmes and outreach to youth across the country in the next financial year.
Ruto further called for the recruitment of additional staff for the agency, which will be overseen by the Cabinet Secretary for Sports through the Public Service Commission. The move aims to enhance the administration of the scheme and support the growing number of participants nationwide.
