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The digital system will ensure applications and approvals are handled swiftly and transparently.
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It also provides real-time information on the whereabouts of senior ranks of the Executive at any given time, offering a level of oversight that was previously unattainable in government.
Image: DPCS
For a long time, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, chairpersons, and CEOs of State Corporations have had to obtain clearance from the President through the office of the Head of Public Service whenever they want to travel out of the country.
This process has been characterised by inefficiency and cumbersome paper trails which has sometimes been vulnerable to loss or misplacement.
The launch of a new cutting-edge digital system now marks the end of era of tedious processes entangled in a web of lengthy applications and slow approvals.
It also marks a significant advancement by the Kenya Kwanza administration in the automation of government services.
Deputy President Rigathia Gachagua who launched the new system recently noted that prudence will now be realised in foreign travel as public resources will be properly accounted for.
“With this system, we will be more prudent and will rationalise those who are authorised to travel out on official duty and justify the use of public funds when outside the country,” Gachagua stated.
It is designed to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability in public service by making information readily accessible and processes more transparent.
Over the years, some senior government officials have also defied orders on the number of delegations that accompany them on foreign trips.
It is against this backdrop that President William Ruto issued a circular last year limiting the trips abroad and the number of people.
A CS for instance travels with a maximum of four people with personal assistants and their aides being barred save for persons with disabilities.
It is expected that the system will go a long way to address this.
The digital system will ensure applications and approvals are handled swiftly and transparently.
It also provides real-time information on the whereabouts of senior ranks of the Executive at any given time, offering a level of oversight that was previously unattainable in government.
The system also will track the details of acting officers during periods when substantive officeholders are on foreign travel, ensuring continuity and accountability in government operations.
“The turnaround time of the manual has over the years taken a lot of time, someone has travel but no clearance certificate but with this system, things will be expedited,” a senior official aware of it said.
“Everyday evening he has to do a summary and sign clearance certificates, which sometimes go up to 50 which is time-consuming and this is the reason why we have introduced it,” he adds.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei whose role includes supervision of all government functions will be in charge of monitoring the system.
The shift to a digital platform reflects the government’s commitment to reduce expenditure hence saving millions of shillings that would otherwise be spent on paper, printing, and physical storage.
Also unveiled is the Presidential Directives Management Information System(PDMIS).
The system provides clear guidance on implementation of the president's directives.
When the President issues a directive or a proclamation while in his public events, it is assumed that this is an order for it to be implemented.
It helps in tracking and managing public expectations by communicating the government’s priorities and actions.