National government administrators are undergoing paramilitary training at the Administration Police Training College, Embakasi, in Nairobi.
The training is part of efforts to sharpen their leadership skills for effective public administration.
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho on Wednesday said 451 assistant county commissioners (formerly DOs) are attending the five-week training.
More cohorts will be targeted by the end of the year.
The PS said the course will eventually be cascaded to the chiefs.
“Over the past few years, we have seen shortfalls in leadership at different levels. This is what we are trying to correct by ensuring that the people who provide leadership at the grassroots level are adequately trained,” he said.
Kibicho said the training also aims to help fight corruption by resetting an entrenched perception that citizens must pay bribes to access public services.
He said the officers will be required to conduct civic education on virtues and their link to social development, integrity and civic responsibility.
“This is a calling. We must start planting this seed in the minds of the people that this country is not about scratch my back, I scratch yours," the PS said.
The current cohort is the largest ever to be enroled at a go.
Around 1,200 officers are yet to undergo the training.
The PS said the remaining 900 ACCs will report for training after the August general election, with chiefs and assistant chiefs set to follow by December.
He said the state will continue to improve the work environment and welfare of the officers.
This year, the government acquired 350 new vehicles under the leasing programme as an addition to 200 earlier ones.
“We know the challenges we face and as a ministry, we have put in a lot of effort to address them. The citizens we serve are our employers. We must serve them fairly, honestly, diligently, and efficiently,” the PS said.
Kibicho was accompanied by deputy Inspector General (APS) Noor Gabow and secretary for National Administration Arthur Osiya.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
“WATCH: The latest videos from the Star”
