Why rebuilding public service is an urgent national imperative

A functional public service is a critical lever to the effectiveness and success of any government and indeed to the overall socio-economic development of any Country, as it serves as the custodian of public good and implementation of development plans.

In Kenya, as in all other Countries, the Public Service must operate with efficiency, transparency, and accountability in order to fulfil its constitutional mandate of delivery of services to the people.

Chapter 13 of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) defines the values of professionalism, efficiency, and responsiveness that should guide the Public Service in meeting the needs of its citizens, and which bind all state and public officers, and institutions.

Over the years, the Public Service in Kenya, has made notable progress in reforming the Legal, Policy and Institutional Frameworks around service delivery. Processes have been made more people oriented and accessible, notable digitization has been achieved, public servants have signed into performance contracts and all public institutions have service charters detailing service delivery standards.

Notably citizen participation in Policy development has progressively improved and decisive actions continue to improve accountability and transparency in service delivery and citizen feedback.

However, despite all these strides, the Service is still plagued with numerous challenges in most of the critical service sectors. These challenges include a poor public image borne of endemic waste, fraud and misuse of public resources.

While serious, these challenges are not unsurmountable. This is the belief that has informed a renewed resolve to carry out sustainable and impactful Public Service Reforms. To begin with, efforts to streamline processes and improve infrastructure are already underway, with a strong focus on transparency, accountability, and outcomes that benefit society.

Address inequalities

The objective is to address inequalities and ensure all Kenyans have access to necessary resources and opportunities with intentional affirmative action being taken towards greater inclusivity. We believe that this drive to strengthen public institutions and create a responsive, effective and efficient public service is important in aligning government actions with the aspirations of the people, setting the pace for future public sector reforms.

Article 132(3) of the Constitution entrusts the Executive with the responsibility to implement government policies and ensure that resources are allocated and utilised efficiently, adhering to the highest standards of accountability.

The Office of the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service which is the administrative arm of the Executive is charged with ensuring that public servants are held accountable, resources are efficiently allocated, and government priorities are executed in line with constitutional values such as integrity, inclusivity, and transparency.

Further, Article 232 of the Constitution, outlines the principles of public service, including high standards of professional ethics, equitable service delivery, and public participation in policymaking which must be observed in the governance of the Public Service.

The Public Service Governance, Ethics, and Integrity Transformation Programme, set to be unveiled soon, is poised to provide a comprehensive framework for this much-needed culture change. This initiative is designed to rebuild public trust by addressing the long-standing challenges that have hampered effective service delivery.

It focuses on three core objectives: improving service delivery, strengthening governance through transparency and accountability, and eradicating corruption. By tackling these fundamental issues, the programme aims to restore public confidence and create a more responsive and effective public service that aligns with the aspirations of the Kenyan people.

Overhauling systems

The transformation which we are fervently pursuing is not merely about overhauling systems but about collectively embracing a shift in mindsets to build a culture where integrity and service lie at the core of governance. It calls for shared commitment across all levels to align with the Constitution’s vision of a public service grounded in professionalism, inclusivity, and integrity. While challenges such as inefficiencies, corruption, and the prioritisation of personal interests over public good persist, this journey will require collective ownership and active participation to bring about meaningful change.

Its phased rollout will begin with a comprehensive curriculum on governance, ethics, and citizen engagement, targeting public servants across all sectors. Key areas such as procurement, human resource, land administration, and frontline service delivery – functions traditionally prone to corruption and inefficiency, will be prioritised. Government has, therefore, made it mandatory for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to establish Corruption Prevention Committees (CPCs) and collaborate with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to assess risks and develop and implement, corruption prevention and mitigation plans.

Transformation is a continuous journey, requiring consistent monitoring, evaluation, and feedback from citizens. The focus must shift towards performance, measurable results, and citizen satisfaction. The time for rhetoric is over; it is now time for action. Public servants, from senior officials to junior staff, must embrace this collective mission to build a public service that is trustworthy, responsive, and aligned with the aspirations of the people.

Through this transformation, we can create a public service that serves with integrity, fosters national unity, and drives Kenya towards a prosperous future.

Mr Koskei is the Chief of Staff at State House and Head of the Public Service