Government is committed to preparing and equipping young professionals with the skills and competencies required to assume critical leadership roles as senior officers retire, Kenya School of Government (KSG) Director General, Prof. Nura Mohammed, has said.
Prof. Mohammed emphasised the importance of succession planning and intergenerational collaboration in the public service, saying it is the only way to ensure continuity in service delivery.
Speaking to the media during the closing of the inaugural Intergenerational Dialogue for Public Service at KSG in Lower Kabete, Prof. Mohammed said the three-day forum, which brought together over 500 representatives from national and county governments, state agencies, universities, and technical institutions, was a candid engagement and a significant step towards rethinking and reinvigorating public service.
He highlighted that a major focus of the dialogue was mentorship, coaching, and the establishment of a knowledge management hub at KSG, where seasoned officers will mentor and coach young professionals to ensure a smooth transition into leadership roles as senior personnel retire.
“And one of the things then we’ve agreed on is how to build the capacity of this generation,” he said.
Prof Mohammed further underscored the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills in public service operations.
He revealed that KSG, in collaboration with UNDP and Microsoft Kenya, has established a Regional Centre of Competency on digital skilling and AI to train young officers in emerging technologies and prepare them to transform government services.
“This initiative aligns with the vision of President Ruto’s administration, which focuses on nurturing young leaders,” he added.
He also noted that KSG has launched a Customer Service Excellence Centre, where young professionals will play a pivotal role in transforming service delivery through AI and digital tools, enhancing efficiency, accountability, and citizen-centred service.
Acting CEO of the National Youth Council, Gloria Wawira, said the dialogue offered a unique opportunity to reimagine and reinvigorate public service by combining the wisdom of seasoned officers with the creativity and innovation of young professionals.
She said, “I think some of the things that came up front and centre, particularly from the young people, are about succession planning in government and how we transition and ensure growth for young people.”
Adding that, “We have focused on how experience and ingenuity can be leveraged to enhance service delivery for all Kenyans,” she said.
The acting CEO stressed that the government remains committed to a vibrant and capable public service, with structured programmes through KSG to build the capacity of young public servants and provide pathways for career growth.
She added, “Some of the conversations at the conference have focused on building the capacity of young public servants, identifying high-performing youth officers, and providing them with opportunities for upward mobility.”
Wawira also highlighted the role of digital governance and AI in shaping the public sector of the future.
She noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration’s digitisation initiatives, including e-Citizen and Huduma Smart, represent the first step in modernising service delivery.
The acting CEO added that the younger generation, being digitally savvy, will play a crucial role in developing and implementing AI-driven systems to ensure government services are efficient, transparent, and 21st-century ready.
“As we rethink the future of the public sector, we must consider how to integrate AI, and it is the younger generation—digital natives—who will help us develop government systems that deliver services in a 21st-century manner,” she said.
The conference, themed “Future-Proofing Public Service: Harnessing Experience and Innovation for Public Service Sustainability”, attracted participants from across the public service and was organised by the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in partnership with key public sector stakeholders.
By Ian Chepkuto
