According to the draft Public Service Commission (PSC) Performance Management Regulations 2020, civil servants who fail to meet performance benchmarks will soon face the sack under the Strict measures the government is clinging on to boost efficiency in service delivery.
The National Treasury is planning to roll out the proposed draft that is set to lay a base on what should be done to enhance efficiency in all public institutions. The draft is aimed at reducing costs incurred to pay non-productive staff in different ministries in the government.
Workers who consistently score low points in annual appraisals will be removed from government payroll as top performers get promotions and awards - a common practice in the private sector.
"All government parastatals and offices will have to develop service delivery standards. These standards are set to provide timeliness, accuracy, cost-effectiveness, accessibility and quality, and quantity services to members of the public,” the draft Public Service Commission (PSC) Performance Management Regulations 2020 reads in part.
If the performance is poor and the much-needed improvement cannot be effected, termination of service thus becomes imminent, the draft further proposes.
“In fact, if we don’t have good performance management, then democracies are in danger because people get disillusioned as election promises are not achieved,” PSC chairman Stephen Kirogo stated.
The draft further proposes the establishment of a secretariat under the Office of the President to coordinate performance contracting and give technical support to the PSC.
Each ministry and state agency is also expected to establish a performance contracting committee. The committee will be tasked with setting targets, monitoring, and evaluating civil servants' annual performance and prepare reports required under these regulations. The draft seeks to curb the long cues and office absenteeism which is common in government offices
“The standards shall inform the annual targets in the performance contract for the public body, which the citizens will hold a public body to account,” states the draft rules.
If the draft sails through, the Public Service Commission will also establish a committee whose main task will be to remunerate those who perform well in the public service.
The PSC chairperson will appoint two commissioners, a representative of the line ministry, a person from the National Treasury and two other people from selected public bodies. This has so far been implemented by the Teachers' Service Commission.
Rewards to an individual public officer, according to the draft may include cash or a promotion.
