Deputy Head of the Public Service (DHOPS), Amos Gathecha, has urged public servants to uphold moral ethics in their line of duty.
Gatheca called on public servants to uphold high ethical standards, discipline and fairness while serving Kenyans in various state agencies and departments.
DHOPS made the remarks on Monday in Naivasha at a meeting attended by CEOs, chairpersons, and vice chairpersons of various state agencies and departments.
During the occasion, Gathecha, appreciated the State’s efforts to instill governance ethics in the running of public affairs.
He noted that when the Chair and CEO work in unity, efficiency in service advances is achieved while when they pull apart, public institutions stall.
“The Chair–CEO partnership is decisive for strategy execution and institutional stability,” he commented.
He underscored that leadership is stewardship—holding institutions in trust for future generations.
Gathecha warned against executive overreach by boards and the misuse of public resources, noting that the boardroom “must be a table of integrity, not a theatre of egos.”
“Leadership is stewardship, our duty is to hold institutions in trust, keep the lanes clear, and let results, not rhetoric, do the talking,” he added.
He called for measures to translate principles into action, and outlined standards to strengthen performance and clarify governance.
Accordingly, agendas and minutes would show a clear split of roles: boards give direction and oversight, while management executes.
Additionally, board papers would be circulated seven days in advance, with any exceptions approved by the Chair and tracked, he added.
At the same time, procurement engagements would be transparent, minuted, and policy-compliant, he said.
Similarly, performance contracts would carry Key Performance Indicators, baselines, and timelines, with mid-year reviews.
He further confirmed that whistleblowers would be protected through confidential reporting, prompt investigations, and communicated outcomes.
At the same, the DHOPS urged leaders to choose legacy over luxury, purpose over politics, service over self, stewardship over status, partnership over politics, and results over rhetoric.
By Jacqueline Adyang
