The leader of Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga (pictured) has proposed sweeping reforms to the country’s Public Service which he said was riddled with nepotism, tribalism and favouritism.
Mr Odinga said these three vices had become a major impediment towards the realisation of an operational Public Service and had led to a demotivated workforce.
“Frustrated officers just stay on only to secure their pension and turn to other ways to supplement income and get fulfilment,” Mr Odinga said.
“They become brokers where they are supposed to be moderators,” he said.
“More needs to be done to counter those three vices so as to boost the morale of Civil Servants, the majority of whom never get to be appreciated as their hard work goes unnoticed.”
Mr Odinga said Public Servants needed to be given the assurance that if they worked hard, maintained a clean record and exercised discipline, nothing would stand between them and rising to the top.
“There is a need for the formation of a clear career progression path for Civil Servants which should be based on seniority and merit-based promotions,” the former Prime Minister said.
He also proposed the need to eliminate conflict of interest in the Public Service, and said it would go a long way in supporting efforts in the fight against corruption.
“This is the main cause of corruption, public mistrust and poor delayed services that have become to be associated with public sector,” Mr Odinga said.
“When the Government procurement officers are also suppliers, the consequences are obvious,” he said.
Nairobi, 28 January 2021
