The Government intends to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies as enablers of smarter governance to enhance effective delivery of services in the public sector.
Deputy Head of Public Service, Mr. Amos Gathecha, underscored the government’s commitment to integrate the latest aspects of technology including the AI to transform provision of service across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He told the opening session of the Kenya Association for Public Administration and Management (KAPAM) Symposium at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Mombasa that public service must keep up with the ever dynamic digital era to remain relevant within and without our borders.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it is a real-time tool that is already reshaping the operations of government.” he added.
In his keynote address, Mr. Gathecha emphasized that the Government is no longer engaging in theoretical discussions but is committed to aligning policy with practical implementation.
“We are not here for academic discourse. We are here to align ideas with action,” he remarked.
He stressed that some key pillars in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) could now be realized since the establishment of the Directorate of Smart Government within the Executive Office of the President.
This Directorate functions as a national coordination hub for the adoption of intelligent technologies aimed at improving public administration, enhancing citizen engagement, and boosting institutional performance.
He however re-affirmed that the digital shift was not intended to replace public servants, but to empower them to achieve greater efficiency and impact.
The High level Symposium themed “Smart Governance: How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping Public Administration”, was attended by senior government officials, policy makers, scholars, and technology experts to deliberate on the transformative potential of AI in public sector reform.
Mr. Gathecha observed that several MDAs are already piloting AI-enabled platforms to facilitate real-time data analysis, automate workflows, and support predictive decision-making—initiatives that are improving transparency, boosting operational efficiency, and fostering a more responsive government.
He proposed a three-pronged approach Digital Capability, Workforce Intelligence, and a People-Centred Culture as the foundation for embedding AI in the public service ecosystem.
The Deputy Head of Public Service also outlined a range of AI-driven solutions that are being deployed to address day-to-day challenges in public administration. These include smart traffic control systems, biometric health services, digital identity platforms, and AI-assisted waste management.
“Smart governance is not just about systems—it is about solving real problems,” Mr. Gathecha stated. “From crime detection using predictive algorithms to improving access to healthcare, AI equips us with the tools to build a government that is smarter, faster, and more responsive to the needs of citizens.”
He, however, emphasized that the success of the AI agenda hinges on the establishment of strong governance frameworks to safeguard data privacy, uphold ethical standards, and promote social equity. He called for a collaborative approach that harnesses the strengths of both humans and machines as the public service embraces a future of hybrid intelligence
“We are transitioning from human-only systems to hybrid systems, where public officers collaborate with intelligent machines to deliver services more effectively,”
He said it was time the transition from a human-centric to a hybrid governance model as the next frontier in civil service transformation took centre stage to move our operations to the next level.
“To remain relevant and productive, public servants must acquire new competencies—both technical and ethical,” he noted, highlighting the importance of data literacy, innovation culture, and values-based leadership.
Principal Secretary for Public Service, Dr. Jane Mbunya,who also present emphasized on the need to prepare the public service that was anchored on smart governance, digital innovation, and citizen-centric solutions.
She noted that strategic investments in talent development, modern infrastructure, and the ethical adoption of artificial intelligence were critical component to sustaining public trust and enhancing service delivery.
By Jacqueline Adyang
