Kenyan President, William Ruto has regretted that it is fashionable for some people to work in public offices to steal while noted that it will not be business as usual to public servants with affinity to abuse public resources.
The President who was speaking during the signing of the 2023/2024 Ministerial Performance Contracts at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, vowed to protect public resources with zeal.
He insisted that corruption must be tamed, especially in the procurement space. “We will not wait until when money is lost. We will deal with it from the level when we notice its signs.”
Ruto maintained that there will be no money to steal but to deliver Govt programmes, while asked public servants to be servants rather than masters of the people.
The Head of State added that incompetence will not be tolerated. “We must work harder and better to deliver on our promises. We have an opportunity to change our country.”
Ruto explained that the Government had resolved to enhance its performance by incorporating the actualisation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda into the performance contracting.
“Our objective is to achieve the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services”, he said this will be done through accountable, responsible and transparent use of public resources.
The Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua asked public servants to be service-driven. “There is no time to waste. Our friendship will only be based on performance. Let us work and do what we have to do for Kenyans,” he argued.
Also speaking the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi said there is need to streamline performance management in the public sector. This, he noted, will help in planning, budgeting and performance.
“Public sector reforms must be pursued to transform the public sector and create an environment that will boost performance,” he added.
Earlier, UN Resident Co-ordinator Stephen Jackson lauded the Govt for giving prominence to performance contracts, saying it was essential for guaranteed provision of basic services to the people.
He noted that Kenyans deserve a 21st century service. “Public service reforms remain our central focus in supporting Kenya. Efficient service delivery, should go beyond the national level to the grassroots”.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Governors, UN Resident Co-ordinator Stephen Jackson, among others, were present at the signing.