Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has backed the Commission of Administrative Justice (CAJ) in its quest to obtain citizens' service delivery charters from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
In a letter addressed to all Principal Secretaries and county secretaries, the chief of staff directed them to immediately submit the charters as previously directed by the CAJ.
"Accordingly, and by way of this circular, you are directed to take immediate steps to ensure full and timely compliance with the Commission's directive and to keep this office duly apprised of the action taken," part of the letter read.
Citizens' service delivery charters are public agreements outlining the service standards a government agency or organisation promises to provide its citizens. They define the rights and responsibilities of both entities and the procedures for resolving any service delivery issues.
Koskei's intervention was necessitated by the MDAs and county governments' failure to provide the documents requested by the CAJ, also known as the Ombudsman.
According to Koskei, Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution outline the national values and principles of governance that guide the conduct of public affairs and the administration of the public service.
He noted that these values testify to a public service that is responsive, prompt, effective, and transparent and facilitates access to accurate and timely information.
"In line with these constitutional imperatives, the Commission on Administrative Justice is mandated to promote administrative justice in Kenya. The scope of this mandate includes addressing maladministration and overseeing compliance with the Access to Information Act," Koskei stated.
"To fulfil this constitutional duty, the Commission has requested the submission of Citizens' Service Delivery Charters by all Ministries, State Departments, Agencies, and County Governments."
This directive to the PSs comes just a few weeks after President William Ruto reshuffled six of them and nominated 14 new entrants.
Former Public Service PS Amos Gathecha was promoted to the Deputy Head of Public Services, while ICT's Kisiang'ani was appointed to serve as the senior advisor and member of the president's council of economic advisors in the new changes.
The nominated 14 candidates include Jane Kare Imbunya (State Department for Public Services and Human Capital Development), Regina Akoth Ombam (State Department for Trade), Cyrell Wagunda Odede (Public Investment and Asset Management), Caroline Wanjiru Karugu (allied to Raila, East African Community Affairs), Oluga Fredrick Ouma (Medical Service), and Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim(National Government Co-ordination).
Judith Naiyai Pareno (Justice Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs), Bonface Makokha (Economic Planning), Prof Abdulrazak Shaukat (Science, Research and Innovation), Stephen Isaboke (Broadcast and Telecommunication), Micheal Lenasalon (Devolution), Fikirini Katoi Kajindi (Youth Affairs), Carren Ageng'o Achieng (Children Welfare Services) and Aden Abdi Millah (Shipping and Maritime Affairs) were also nominated.
