The Public Service Commission (PSC) has launched a renewed drive to instil national values across the public service, aimed at enhancing ethical conduct, accountability, and efficiency in government institutions.
The Commission noted that promoting national values, such as patriotism, national unity, the rule of law, human rights, transparency, accountability, and good governance, was critical to achieving the country’s development agenda and vision.
Speaking during an engagement with Directors of Human Resource Management from national government institutions in Naivasha, PSC Commissioner Dr Francis Owino said the initiative seeks to move beyond compliance reporting to ensure public servants fully internalise and practice the values enshrined in the Constitution.
Dr Owino said the Constitution provides for national values and principles of governance under Article 10, and public service values under Article 232, which should guide the conduct of every public officer.
He noted that while the Commission has consistently met its constitutional obligation to report annually to the President and Parliament on the implementation of national values, insufficient emphasis has been placed on embedding those values within the service itself.
“The Public Service Commission is here on a programme to institutionalise values in the public service and these values ought to guide how public servants behave and carry themselves as they discharge public duty in their various stations of work,” Dr Owino said.
He added that the Commission’s mandate included promoting national values and principles of governance, prompting a deliberate shift towards values-based leadership and service delivery.
Dr Owino said the nationwide programme kicked off with officers from the State Department for Planning, given their role in developing the country’s long-term planning framework.
The Commissioner added that the country’s aspirations for socio-economic transformation can only be realised through a public service anchored on integrity, accountability and ethical leadership.
Commissioner Boya Mulu, said reforms in public service were a gradual process requiring sustained commitment rather than quick fixes.
“Once public servants deliver their duties according to the values of the Constitution, efficiency, transparency and ethical conduct will improve, and that will ultimately contribute to the efficient public service we are looking for,” he said.
Mulu raised concerns over increased cases of mental health issues facing public servants but noted that the Commission, working with the State Department for Public Service, had activated guidance and counselling services staffed by qualified, licensed counsellors across government institutions.
On the ageing public service workforce, Mulu dismissed fears of a demographic crisis, saying continuous recruitment of entry-level officers was underway to ensure a healthy succession pipeline as senior officers retire
The ongoing engagement with key players in the government institutions speaks to a broader push at the Commission’s reform agenda, pledging greater efficiency, accountability and citizen-focused service delivery.
By Erastus Gichohi and Beatrice Wanjiku
