Treasury Unveils 244 Lucrative Government Jobs—But Who Will Really Qualify?

A surprise announcement from the National Treasury has jolted the public service job market, unveiling over 240 senior positions with salaries reaching Sh96,000. But behind the generous figures lies a competitive process that could leave thousands disappointed.

In a notice released Tuesday, July 22, the State Department for Economic Planning invited applications for 244 vacancies in the role of Senior Economist/Statistician, under job group CSG 8. The department specified that eligible candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in fields like Economics, Statistics, or Finance, at least three years’ experience in a similar role, and be affiliated with a recognised professional body.

“These positions are crucial in shaping Kenya’s economic future through planning, forecasting, and tracking of national projects,” the statement read. Selected applicants will work on Vision 2030 implementation, modelling economic data, and maintaining national statistics databases.

Successful candidates will earn between Sh52,330 and Sh96,130 in basic monthly salary, supplemented by allowances totalling Sh49,000. The job is permanent and pensionable—terms rarely seen in recent years amid increasing contract-based hiring in government.

Interested individuals are required to submit a completed PSC 2 (Revised 2016) Employment Form by July 30, either physically at the Treasury Building or via email. However, insiders note that despite the open call, the process may be influenced by internal networks, leaving deserving but unknown applicants at a disadvantage.

With just a week to apply, the race is on. Yet as hundreds polish their credentials, questions linger over the transparency of the shortlisting process and whether merit will outweigh connections. Will these well-paying roles truly go to Kenya’s best minds—or will they quietly disappear into familiar hands?