Public finance management reforms in the country have received a major boost following the launch of a six-month Leadership Excellence in Africa Public Sector training programme.
The training programme targets senior finance officials in public institutions.
The programme by the Africa Capacity Building Foundation is
designed to equip the officials with enhanced leadership skills, governance
expertise, and peer-to-peer learning.
Speaking while officially launching the programme in Nairobi, Public Finance Management Reforms Programme Coordinator John Bett noted that the initiative provides an opportunity for a broader understanding of public finance management
He said the training will complement ongoing public finance
management reforms agenda in Kenya through change management, capacity
development and improving capacity and PFM systems.
The programme will benefit officials from Kenya Revenue Authority, Controller of Budget, Office of the Auditor General and National Treasury.
ACBF Nairobi Programme Coordinator Mohammed Salat said the programme will unlock change through collaboration within the public finance systems.
“It is an opportunity for senior public finance officials to reflect and bring a change in culture to the challenges affecting leadership and governance in Pubic Finance Management in Africa,” he stated.
Bett challenged the officials to use the skills gained from
the training to transform the country’s public finance management practices,
enhance good governance and achieve overall goal of sustainable development and
service delivery to the citizens.
The programme has been launched in Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast and is expected to be launched in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal to strengthen leadership and governance skills in Africa's Public Financial Management sector.
Over the last decade the Government of Kenya has undertaken a number of PFM reforms aimed at enhancing accountability and transparency.
The reforms seek to improve the delivery of public services to Kenyans by promoting budgetary risk management for the Kenyan government and improving public financial management in areas that have a direct impact on the effectiveness of public action.