It's time to act decisively and end corruption – Mudavadi

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said that it is time for the state to act decisively to end rampant corruption in the public service.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mudavadi affirmed that the Executive is ready to do its part in the fight against this vice.

He called for the need to identify missing links in bringing culprits to account, saying that the criminal justice system must also save the country from this persistent agony.

“The public is tired of our persistent appeals, pleas, remonstrations and threats against corruption. It is time to act and act decisively to end this scourge, especially the temptations in public service. We must require all agencies in the criminal justice system to save us the agony. They must do Kenyans justice,” Mudavadi said.

The Prime CS insisted that this should not be mistaken for weaponizing state agencies against anyone.

He said all they are asking the agencies to do is work without doubt, fear or favour

“Kenya’s overall development agenda as espoused in the Kenya Vision 2030 is dependent on a Public Service that is citizen-focused, results-oriented, efficient, motivated; and foremost, corruption-free.”

He spoke during the signing of the performance contracting for Ministries for Financial Year 2023/24 at State House Nairobi.

Mudavadi said the performance contracts signed are the first, under President William Ruto’s administration, with budgets aligned to specific programmes and projects under the Medium-Term Plan (IV) and anchored on the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA) sector priorities.

He said the contracts will ensure synergy between budgetary resources and specific targeted deliveries.

The contracts will provide linkages between planning, budgeting and clear deliverables as expected under every Ministry, State Department or Agency.

“Sustained implementation of performance contracts should enable public institutions re-focus on improving institutional governance and efficient use of public resources, leading to effective service delivery as demanded by the Constitution.”

He said his office has initiated the development of a Public Service Performance Management Bill, which seeks to streamline and standardise performance management in the public sector.

It is expected to provide a framework for rewarding meritocracy and performance while fawning over ineptitude and discouraging non-performance.

“This is the first time public service performance management will be anchored in law. The introduction of Performance Contracts in the Public Service gives credence to the adage that, 'What Gets Measured Gets Done'," Mudavadi said.

He said these reforms aim to transform public institutions, streamline processes, eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and enhance governance and service delivery.

To effectively implement performance management, productivity mainstreaming and public sector reforms, Mudavadi called for the need to adopt a multi-faceted approach.

He said embracing a culture of continuous learning, professionalism and perfection, will enhance effectiveness and efficiency in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“It is clear in my mind that by undertaking these reforms, we are creating an enabling environment that fosters economic growth, attracts investments and improves the quality of life for all Kenyans,” he noted.