Public Service Ministry unveils bold reforms, eyes future-ready civil service

The Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes has announced a package of reforms intended to modernize Kenya’s public service and make it more responsive to citizens.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKL Live during a town hall broadcast from the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, alongside senior officials, outlined the ministry’s priorities under the theme “Transforming Public Service: Milestones, Challenges, and the Road Ahead.”

Ruku noted that nearly one million civil servants serve a population of more than 58 million, pushing back against perceptions that the sector is bloated. He said many workers remain underpaid despite increased workloads. “We’re building on past successes, correcting gaps, and strengthening institutions,” he said, adding that the government will maintain fiscal discipline, including a freeze on salary increases for senior officers as directed by President Ruto.

In a move that drew public attention, Ruku shared his personal phone number on live television, asking Kenyans to report poor service directly to him. He also urged civil servants to maintain a physical presence at workstations, saying not all services can be delivered digitally.

The ministry said service delivery is being expanded through Huduma Express, Huduma Mashinani, and Huduma Mlangoni — a new initiative that takes services to people’s doorsteps, particularly in underserved areas.

On youth employment, Ruku acknowledged weaknesses in the current internship programme but stated that a new framework is being developed to link internships to permanent opportunities. He added that more than 400,000 Kenyans are already working abroad through structured diaspora schemes.

Principal Secretary Dr. Jane Kere Imbunya highlighted reforms in payroll automation and digitization of pensioners’ registers, saying they have improved transparency and management of the wage bill. She stressed the need for reskilling, pointing out that most public servants were trained decades ago. A new curriculum focused on customer service is being rolled out.

Huduma Kenya CEO Ben Kai said Huduma Centres would continue expanding access, including through door-to-door services. Kenya School of Government Director General Prof. Nura Mohamed announced plans for a Centre of Excellence on Strategic Foresight, focusing on areas such as artificial intelligence, digital governance, and leadership training to prepare the workforce for emerging challenges.

The ministry said the reforms aim to build a civil service that is more professional, digitally equipped, and better aligned to citizens’ needs.