Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku has assured that the government is building a responsive and inclusive public service.
CS emphasised that the public service will uphold the values of the Constitution and deliver tangible outcomes for all citizens.
At the same time, Ruku indicated that the government was working to streamline various issues that public servants have raised, such as staff promotions and a conducive working environment.
The CS acknowledged that public servants face challenges, particularly around delayed promotions and limited career growth and pledged that President Ruto’s administration was working to actively address these concerns, aiming to create a fairer, more motivated workforce.
He stated that the government was alive to the fact that a functional public service was a critical lever to the effectiveness and success of any government and to the overall development of any given country, as it serves as the custodian of the public good and the implementation of development plans.
The CS made the remarks at the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner’s grounds in Nakuru, where he addressed civil servants and members of the public after a spot check on service delivery in all public offices.
He emphasised that the public service must operate with efficiency, transparency and accountability in order to accelerate the implementation of Article 232 of the Constitution of Kenya, which outlines the core principles and values of public service, including responsiveness, equity, accountability and citizen participation.
Ruku told civil servants that they should carry out their functions with the highest professional standards, uphold the values of the Constitution and be mindful of their positions of public trust.
He said his Ministry was working to ensure gains already made in improving public service were not just sustained but deepened, adding that their goal was to build a responsive and inclusive public service that upholds the values of the Constitution and delivers tangible outcomes for all citizens.
“Public officers must at all times discharge their duties with a lot of humility and uphold the public interest by putting the public good before their own,” Ruku added.
While calling on public servants to remain dedicated and serve all Kenyans equally without fear or favour, Ruku pointed out that reforms in public service were aimed at improving the public service, enhancing transparency, and strengthening public trust in government.
He emphasised that the Kenya Kwanza administration values public feedback, adding that his ministry will continue engaging citizens directly to gather firsthand information.
“The government takes feedback from Kenyans seriously, which is why we hold public participation in high regard,” Mr Ruku said.
The Cabinet Secretary’s visit comes as the government pushes to decentralise services through the Huduma Centres, one-stop government service points, to more counties to ensure faster and more efficient service delivery.
By Esther Mwangi
