The government has taken a bold move towards digital transformation in public administration with the launch of the Kenya Regional Administration and Management Symposium in Mombasa, spearheaded by the State Department for Public Service and the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy.
The symposium brought together stakeholders to explore the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in government operations under the theme: “Smart Governance: How Artificial Intelligence is Shaping Public Administration.”
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Deputy Head of Public Service Amos Gathecha emphasised the critical role the public service plays as the engine of government.
He said the State Department for Public Service was one of the most pivotal departments that should be abreast with the advent of AI as it was at the heart of national progress.
Gathecha noted that as a government, key steps were in motion to exploit the transformative potential of AI in improving public service delivery.
“This is not just a discussion about the future. It is about making bold decisions today to ensure a responsive, efficient, and future-ready public service,” said Gathecha.
He also pointed to the importance of the Directorate of Smart Governance within the Executive Office of the President as a strategic move, aligning government operations with the digital age.
“The integration of AI into the public sector is already underway. From automating the filtering of millions of job applications to creating systems that notify citizens on crucial documentation, AI is reshaping how government delivers services,” added Gathecha.
The Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Service and Human Capital Development Dr. Jane Imbunya highlighted the need for clarity and tech-savvy structures in governance.
“Smart governance must be specific, measurable, accurate, relevant, and time-bound,” she said.
Dr. Imbunya called on public institutions to adapt to the paradigm shift driven by emerging technologies, citing the Kenya Kwanza government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on digital infrastructure and innovation.
“As automation reaches exponential levels, we must remain aware of the ethical dimensions of AI. In public service, AI must be grounded in ethical standards and principles,” said Dr. Imbunya.
The PS highlighted the impact of the e-Citizen’s platform, which has revolutionized government service delivery and inadvertently reduced bureaucracy, enhanced transparency, and curbed corruption through minimal human interaction.
She lauded the platform as a landmark initiative in Kenya’s journey toward smart, AI tailored governance.
Prof. George Scott the Secretary General (SG) of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) noted that collaboration within different sectors is the key to unlocking the potential of a tech driven public service.
By Shamim Musa and Amina Bakari
