SAM’S SENSE: What are you saying, Felix?

The Head of Public Service Felix Koskei was in attendance and had a field day speaking to what he believes is a roadmap to making Kenya a first world country.

One of the key issues was his deep regret at how politics influences the delivery of services in the public sector. He thinks that the country must draw the line to separate service from politics in the Executive, Judiciary and the public service.

"When a government or political wing wins election, that manifesto should be handed over to bureaucrats to reduce it into a development plan. Politicians should step back and provide oversight," he said.

He then took issue with corruption that has dragged the country’s progress. He compared Kenya to Singapore and Malaysia where corruption is frowned upon and any linkage to such allegations haunts the conscience of many.

"It is shameful in Singapore to be identified with corruption, people jump off balconies, people kill themselves before even govt goes to arrest them, because it is a shame," he said.

And then he spoke of tribalism that continues to inform public appointments in Kenya: "Let us respect, let us acknowledge competence, expertise, let us treat ourselves as Kenyans and I am telling you, we shall overtake Singapore."

"You are putting somebody in a very critical strategic area because he is coming from your area and you know his certificate is from river road, barely literate. But since you are in power, you just bring incompetent people and they mess up development of a country."

Now, Felix Koskei is the President’s Chief of Staff, a key advisor and implementer of the President’s decisions.

He also called out Chapter 15 commissions and independent offices, saying that majority of them cling onto independence while abdicating on their duties.

"But if you want to say you are independent and are not doing what you are supposed to do, nature abhors a vacuum, we will step in there. You will run to court, you will get your orders and we will unleash the public against you."

As a political appointee, what does the President’s Chief of Staff think of those words? Shouldn’t he be the first advocate of the independence of institutions?

Should those institutions now be scared? What’s the place of constitutionalism in the wake of politically driven leadership of the public service? While it’s quite in order to freely express self, shouldn’t some voices hold more weight than others? What’s your sense of these words?

That’s my sense tonight.