There is evidently a brewing ideological shift among civil servants in Kenya today, a recognition of changing dynamics within the government hierarchy, largely due to the assertive stance taken by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
It appears this shift is not mere illusion, as we witness a wave of personnel changes occurring at all levels. Recently, the Chief of Staff ordered the suspension of Athi Water Works Development Agency Board chief executive officer Michael Thuita, pending the completion of graft investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
This action followed a meeting where Koskei convened with chairmen and CEOs of parastatals at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi. During this meeting, he reiterated the President's unequivocal stance that corruption remains and will continue to be intolerable under the current administration.
With a keen understanding of the intricacies within parastatal boards, Koskei lamented how personal interests had rendered many of these state agencies ineffective and ungovernable. He highlighted instances where board members colluded with chief executive officers to sideline a chairman who opposed corrupt practices. Conversely, some chairmen and chief executives formed unholy alliances to embezzle public resources.
A civil servant working for the Kenya Revenue Authority at one of Kenya's border points recently returned to Nairobi under suspension due to corruption-related issues. He bemoaned the loss of his mobile phone, which remained in the custody of authorities during the ongoing investigation.
Rumours suggest that manipulating tax records at the Kenya Revenue Authority's Times Tower is becoming increasingly difficult and risky. Indeed, individuals with influential connections within the Kenya Revenue offices had turned it into a lucrative venture, aiding businesses of all sizes in evading their tax obligations.
"Some individuals may wait for months or even a year to obtain a documentation they seek from government departments or agencies, yet others walk in and out with it," lamented Koskei. These are long-standing issues that Kenya has glossed over for generations.
Recently, at the President's direction, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki personally oversaw the passport issuance process at Nyayo House due to a substantial backlog. This accumulation had persisted for years, and it was common knowledge that greasing the palms of immigration officers was necessary to obtain the coveted documents.
Honesty, integrity and loyalty are rare virtues in Kenya's public service. The prevailing mindset has long been tainted by the belief that success cannot be achieved without engaging in corruption. This entrenched perception has made corruption a deeply rooted issue, to the extent that people sometimes fail to recognise when they are participating in it. Civil servants often view making more than their government-allocated salaries as their right.
It is a widely accepted fact that many seek government employment with the sole intention of personal enrichment. Recently, the Head of Public Service observed that corruption is not confined to grand-scale operations; it has permeated the public service to such an extent that individuals incorporate it into their budgets.
When one contemplates this, it suggests the presence of numerous opportunistic individuals within the government who care little for the country's future and only view public service as a means of self-aggrandisement.
The Chief of Staff is determined to reshape the mindset of public servants. He cautioned civil servants at the Kenya School of Government that the government is swiftly pursuing change, and those who fail to adapt will be separated from it. He urged parastatals to restructure for increased efficiency, emphasising that dysfunctional structures guarantee poor or non-delivery.
Koskei firmly believes that government agencies can generate sufficient revenue to fulfil their constitutional mandates without relying solely on the Exchequer. This vision necessitates meticulous budgeting and prudent resource utilisation.
The government remains steadfast in implementing the 222222 Paybill number as the sole collector of government revenue, with plans to streamline remittances. While there has been resistance in some quarters, the government is committed to reducing direct cash handling, which has historically posed significant risks.
Koskei leads this transformation charge, but are government Ministries, Departments and Agencies following suit? The entrenched attitudes of Kenyan civil servants have shaped the nation's identity, and the change instilled by the new administration can significantly contribute to efficiency. In Kenya, truth is often suppressed in the pursuit of personal interests. People may feign compliance with change when it is introduced to survive temporarily, but they often revert to their old ways.
"We will persist in our pursuit of diligence," Koskei assured Principal Secretaries, Board Chairs, Chief Executives, Director Generals, and other government accounting officers gathered at the Kenya School of Government on 21st September 2023.
Transforming the public service is a vital initial step. The government cannot achieve its objectives if this network of individuals maintains the same mindset and expectations, and perpetuates the same mediocrity and corruption of the past. "We will not hesitate to reorganise and restructure as part of this transformation journey," Koskei recently affirmed.
Koskei's fundamental message is that government employees must perform their roles effectively. "Fulfill your mandated duties. If we all do our jobs diligently, there will be fewer complaints, and we can deliver for Kenyans," he emphasised at the Kenya School of Government.
Complacency, mediocrity and laxity collectively undermine the will of the people. The distorted perceptions of civil servants have long thwarted transformation efforts in the country.
The government, by taking action, is sending a clear message: changing mindsets is a pivotal element in enhancing government efficiency. Koskei has garnered a reputation for being a formidable figure in government circles, primarily because his public statements align closely with his private views and actions.
