The Public Service Commission (PSC) has revised the mandatory retirement age for lecturers and research scientists in public universities and research institutions, aiming to retain experienced professionals and strengthen public service efficiency.
In a statement issued on March 12, 2026, PSC announced that professors and associate professors under permanent and pensionable terms will now retire at 70 years, while persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the same category will retire at 75. Research professors and associate professors are also included in this adjustment.
Senior lecturers and lecturers will retire at 65 years, with PWDs eligible to serve until 70. Assistant lecturers, junior researchers, graduate assistants, and research assistants under contract employment will retire at 60 years, with PWDs retiring at 65.
Research scientists holding PhDs in research institutions will retire at 65, while PWDs can continue until 70. Those with a Master’s degree and relevant publications will also retire at 65, with PWDs granted an extended term until 70.
Non-teaching staff continue to retire at 60 years, with PWDs allowed until 65.
The PSC noted that the previous retirement age, largely set at 60, often led to the premature exit of professionals with critical skills, leaving public institutions short-staffed and dependent on taxpayers to fund pensions.
“Early retirement not only deprives the public service of experienced talent but also forces employees into pension reliance while they could still contribute meaningfully to the economy,” PSC stated.
The commission undertook consultations with universities and research institutions before implementing the new retirement terms to ensure that the public service remains effective while retaining highly skilled professionals.
The adjustment aligns with broader regional considerations, referencing the earlier East African Community (EAC) treaty of 2009, which set retirement ages between 60 and 74 for PWDs. PSC emphasized that the revised terms will enable institutions to benefit from the expertise of lecturers and researchers at a time when their experience is most valuable for mentoring, research output, and teaching quality.
Officials say the change also aims to strengthen the capacity of Kenya’s higher education and research sector, ensuring that critical knowledge and institutional memory are preserved within public universities and research institutions.
 has revised the mandatory retirement age for lecturers and research scientists in public universities and research institutions, aiming to retain experienced professionals and strengthen public service efficiency.){kind=link}