- The meeting was also attended by Interior PS Raymond Omollo.
- The focus was on reviewing the performance of government institutions during the 2022-23 financial year.
The government has expressed its commitment to rooting out corruption in the public service as part of its efforts to enhance service delivery to her citizens.
Head of Public service and State House Chief of Staff Felix Koskei on Friday said the government has resolved to change tack in tackling the menace which he says has derailed development.
To combat corruption effectively, the government has implemented a series of strategies, including strengthening investigating agencies and leveraging the support of administrators across the country.
“We will allow the investigative agencies to proceed with their mandate, EACC, DCI will continue with their mandate of investigating and getting to know what really happened in the circumstance that there is an issue of corruption,” Koskei said.
He spoke on Friday after presiding over a security meeting with senior government administrators at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete. Regional commissioners, county commissioners, deputy county commissioners and assistant county commissioners were present.
The meeting was also attended by Interior PS Raymond Omollo. The focus was on reviewing the performance of government institutions during the 2022-23 financial year.
The participants explored strategies to effectively combat corruption, which has infiltrated various government departments.
Koskei stressed the importance of a collaboration in tackling the vice, aligning with President William Ruto's commitment to a corruption-free country.
Moving into the next financial year, the Head of Public Service said the government will focus on enforcement of zero-tolerance policy on corruption and the enhancement of service delivery to mwananchi at the grassroots.
“That is why we have been having a series of meetings targeting areas that are prone to corruption, areas like public works, health, procurement and finance to have this conversation and come up with ways of ensuring never again will a government be defeated in fighting corruption,” he added.
He urged the administrators to play a leading role in communicating the government's stance on corruption at the grassroots.
Additionally, Koskei drew attention to the issue of land acquisition, registrations, and transactions, identifying it as a significant area where corruption is prevalent.
He called on NGAOs to take charge and flag out individuals who exploit existing loopholes to fleece the citizens.
“We are telling them to take charge, ensure that you weed out those people who are tarnishing the government’s reputation by extorting, making documents disappear and by demanding money for government services to which mwananchi is entitled, free of charge,” Koskei said.
Koskei also addressed the pressing challenges of alcohol and drug abuse among the country's youth.
He emphasised the need for collaboration between provincial administration officials and citizens to combat the issue. He warned that any government official found colluding with and protecting the culprits would face disciplinary and legal action.
“Some few elements within the service have been put under pay roll by crooked businesspeople selling very dangerous alcohol and peddling drugs. We have agreed that we are going to focus on them and get rid of these people,” he said.
PS Omollo commended NGAOs across the country for their efforts in ensuring the safety of Kenyans.
He said their responses have positioned the Interior ministry as one of the key enablers of sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development in the country.
"As the chairs of the respective Security and Intelligence Committees in their jurisdictions, these officers have progressively cascaded the all-of-government approach to security and law enforcement," he said.
The PS said through the help of NGAOs, the government has managed to recover over 100 firearms from civilians and silenced the bandits in the North Rift who have wreaked havoc in the region for decades.
Further, he said the state department has lined up various interventions to improve the capacity of NGAO officers.
Key among them is infrastructure upgrade, training and provision of mobility and logistical support through the Government Vehicle Leasing Programme.
He said, "As you are aware, NGAOs currently have only 432 vehicles. There is a deficit of 1,072 vehicles for field officers, 80 vehicles for ministry headquarter departments and agencies, and 4,000 motorcycles for Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs whose acquisition will go a long way to enhancing their operations."
The Interior PS also revealed plans to operationalise the 28 newly gazetted sub-counties in response to the increasing demand for further decentralisation of government services.
Commenting on the status of passport printing and issuance, Immigration and Citizen Service Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the government has so far printed 87,000 passports that are yet to be collected.
He assured the public that the issue of corruption within the Immigration Department is a thing of the past and encouraged Kenyans to visit the facility for passport collection, assuring on quick turnaround times.
“I want to tell the country that we have been able to turn around Immigrations and that right now it is a corruption-free zone and that we are doing everything possible to ensure that Kenyans are able to get their passports within seven days,” PS Bitok said.
“We have cleaned the place and we are happy to inform the country to feel free to come for passport and don’t pay anything to get your passport.”
PS Bitok also revealed that the planed roll-out of the national digital system is well on -course.
He said digital identity will play a vital role in eliminating corruption, improving service delivery, and boosting revenue for the government.
The meeting involved eight Regional Commissioners; 47 County Commissioners and 372 Deputy County Commissioners.
Also present were senior officials and Heads of Departments and SAGAs within the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.