Commission pushes for deeper integration of national values in Public Service
ERASTUS GICHOHI AND BEATRICE WANJIKU- KNA
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has launched a renewed drive to instill national values across the public service, aimed at enhancing ethical conduct, accountability and effi ciency in government institutions.
The Commission noted that promoting national values, such as patriotism, national unity, the rule of law, human rights, trans parency, accountability, and good governance, was critical to achieving the country’s development agenda and vision.
Speaking during an engagement with Direc tors of Human Resource Management from national government institutions in Naivasha, PSC Commis sioner Dr Francis Owino said the initiative seeks to move beyond compliance reporting to ensure public servants fully internalise and practice the values enshrined in the Consti tution.
Dr Owino said the Constitution provides for national values and principles of governance under Article 10 and public service values under Article 232, which should guide the conduct of every public officer.
He noted that while the Commission has consistently met its con stitutional obligation to report annually to the President and Parliament on the implementation of national values, insufficient emphasis has been placed on embedding those values within the service itself.
“The Public Service Commission is here on a programme to institution alise values in the public service and these values ought to guide how public servants behave and carry themselves as they dis charge public duty in their various stations of work,” Dr Owino said.
He added that the Com mission’s mandate includes promoting national values and principles of gov ernance, prompting a deliberate shift towards values-based leadership and service delivery.
He said the nationwide programme kicked off with officers from the State Department for Planning, given their role in devel oping the country’s long term planning framework.
The Commissioner added that the country’s aspirations for socio-eco nomic transformation can only be realised through a public service anchored on integrity, accountability and ethical leadership.
Commissioner Boya Mulu, said reforms in public service is a gradual process requiring sustained commitment rather than quick fixes.
“Once public servants deliver their duties accord ing to the values of the Constitution, efficiency, transparency and ethical conduct will improve, and that will ultimately contribute to the efficient public service we are looking for,” he said.
Mulu raised concerns over increased cases of mental health issues facing public servants but noted that the Commission, working with the State Department for Public Service, had activated guidance and counselling services staffed by quali fied, licensed counsellors across government insti tutions.
The ongoing engagement with key players in the government institutions speaks to a broader push at the Commission’s reform agenda, pledging greater efficiency, accountability and citizen-focused service delivery