The Government has renewed its commitment to transforming Kenya’s public service through reforms aimed at improving efficiency, accountability, and citizen-focused service delivery.
Speaking during the Africa Public Service Day 2026 celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku said Kenya is pursuing reforms designed to strengthen institutions and ensure public servants are evaluated based on results rather than time spent at work.
Ruku noted that the government is working to build a public service that is responsive, accountable, and capable of addressing emerging challenges facing citizens and the economy.
“For far too long, we have focused on the wrong metrics when rewarding productivity in public service. Our focus must not be on the number of hours people worked or who stayed late in the office, but on how we meet the needs and expectations of citizens seeking services in public institutions,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that Kenya’s development ambitions will require a shift toward productivity-driven performance, arguing that countries often viewed as development models have succeeded through efficiency and output rather than workplace attendance alone.
He cited countries such as Singapore and South Korea as examples of nations that have prioritized productivity and effective public administration to drive economic growth.
According to Ruku, improving productivity within the public sector will be critical if Kenya is to compete effectively in the global economy and deliver quality services to its citizens.
The CS also reaffirmed Kenya’s support for initiatives that strengthen public institutions across the continent, calling for greater collaboration among governments, development partners, and stakeholders to improve governance and service delivery.