The Ministry of Public Service will be beginning January next year name and shame public institutions that are notorious for shortchanging Kenyans by underperforming in discharging their mandate.
Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said the Ministry in conjunction with the Commission on Administrative Justice will give monthly updates about non-performing public institutions that consistently fail taxpayers in service delivery.
Kuria lamented inordinate delays in service delivery at government offices adding Kenyans have suffered the brunt of injustice at the hands of unresponsive public officials.
Speaking during the Huduma Ombudsman award ceremony at KICC today, CS Kuria told public servants to make a paradigm shift from merely being in public employment and transitioning to public service to safeguard the interests of the taxpayer.
“The entire public service workforce is about 900 000 workers who serve 54 million Kenyans. If you are lucky to be a public servant, consider that as a privilege and be ready to give excellent service,” Kuria said.
The CS who read the official speech on behalf of President William Ruto, said the government cannot function optimally when it takes ages for retired workers to get their pension processed while acquiring documents like national identity cards and certificates of good conduct similarly take longer process.
Kuria said it was high time to call a spade a spade and vowed to bring a change in the work ethic in the Civil Service.
The CS asked Kenyans to raise the alarm whenever a public officer demanded a bribe at the workplace saying the public is expected to support the war on graft by reporting those who stand in their way denying them their constitutional right to service.
At the same time, Kuria reassured Kenyans that the government is on track to turn around the economy and added he has full confidence in the measures taken by President Ruto to resuscitate the economy.
“The austerity measures adopted by the Kenya Kwanza government though hurting to Kenyans, were necessary and in due course, things will take a different trajectory for the better so Kenyans need to be patient,” Kuria said.
Among those feted by the Ombudsman included Matsangoni Division, Kilifi North Sub-County, and Kilifi County Assistant County Commissioner, Precious Dama Randu who was awarded in the public service delivery individual category.
Others included the Kenya Revenue Authority, Huduma Kenya, and the National Council for Law Reform.
By Kizito Maruti, Winnie Wachira, and Fridah Kamuri
