Remarks · 13 June 2025
We are living in a time of profound and unprecedented change. In this fast-paced era of transformation, driven by rapid technological advancements and shifting societal expectations, many of the ideas and assumptions that once guided us are being rendered obsolete, and our understanding of the world requires constant review and updating.
To remain relevant, we must all embrace a culture of adaptability, of continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning, and we must be willing to renew ourselves to meet emerging challenges. This is the mindset we need to build a responsive, relevant, and resilient 21st-century public service.
This is why the government is firmly committed to the sustained upskilling, upgrading, and renewal of our public service. We are unwavering in our resolve to build a public service that is fit-forpurpose, modern, ethical, agile, efficient, and responsive to the evolving needs of our citizens.
The Diploma in Public Administration course is a key component of this broader strategy. You, the graduating class of 2025, are the foundation of this transformation. Today, we celebrate the successful graduation of 804 officers who, through rigorous training, have developed critical competencies in public policy, leadership, ethics, governance, and citizen-centred service.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the National Government Administration Officers structure, from Regional Commissioners to Assistant Chiefs and Village Elders, is one of the most dynamic, effective, and far-reaching arms of government. You are the connective tissue between the State and its citizens, and you are the face of government in every village, town, and county across the country.
National Government Administration Officers are a key pillar of our national security and stability. You play a vital role in coordinating government development programmes, ensuring implementation at the grassroots, and maintaining peace within our communities. The Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda focuses on empowering ordinary Kenyans, the farmer, the boda boda rider, and the mama mboga, and you are the frontline champions of this empowerment.
When you register farmers for the fertiliser subsidy programme, you are transforming agriculture and improving food security. This is why our food production today is up by nearly 50%. When you support affordable housing projects, you enable urban renewal, uplift lives from the bottom up, and create jobs for our youth. When you mobilise communities for climate action, you help safeguard our environment.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I acknowledge and commend the many milestones achieved under the leadership of the Ministry of Interior and National Government Administration over the past three years. These include the registration of over 6.4 million farmers for the fertiliser subsidy programme, the achievement of 100% transition to Junior and Secondary School, increased enrolment in technical training institutions, registration of over 1.2 million Inua Jamii beneficiaries, and the secure administration of national examinations, including KCPE, KPSEA, and KCSE. Other success stories have been in the mass mobilisation for Social Health Authority (SHA) registration, with over 23 million Kenyans enrolled to date, and the general coordination of national policies, projects and programmes.
I am particularly pleased to report that SHA has enrolled 142,000 National Government Administration Officers under the comprehensive medical cover. So far, KSh 1.5 billion has been disbursed, with KSh 1.9 billion set aside for pending claims.
A healthy public servant is a productive public servant, and we remain committed to protecting your health and dignity.
To extend upskilling and training to every level of the National Government Administration, more targeted initiatives are being rolled out. I am aware that plans are underway to induct chiefs and assistant chiefs into a Security Management Course, targeting 8,000 officers. This programme will strengthen their capacity in leadership, dispute resolution, and local governance, pillars that are essential for peace and development at the grassroots.
Similarly, the Ministry of Interior and National Government Administration has finalised a policy framework to define the role of Village Administrative Elders. This policy will formalise and decentralise National Government functions to the village level, making service delivery more efficient, inclusive, accessible, and community-based. The recognition of Village Administrative Elders will be instrumental in bridging the last mile of governance and enhancing accountability at the grassroots.
To truly modernise public service, we must embrace innovation. In a world where citizens expect fast, seamless, and transparent services, we must leverage digital tools, including Artificial Intelligence, to deliver on our mandate. A prime example is the Automated Reporting Management Information System (ARMIS), developed by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and showcased during the 2025 Annual Public Service Week.
Developed through peer review and successfully piloted in Nairobi and the Central region, ARMIS replaces inefficient manual reporting with real-time, secure, and even offline data collection.
It has already improved accuracy, responsiveness, and transparency in public administration. We will roll out this system nationwide and explore its applications in other sectors.
I want to especially recognise Madam Mary Kanini David, Senior Assistant Secretary, for her innovation and leadership in developing the platform. This homegrown solution addressed gaps in previous systems and rightly won second place in the national innovation competition. It will now be showcased at the Africa-Wide Innovation Exhibition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, later this month, marking a proud moment for Kenya and a testament to the power of local solutions.
As I conclude, I urge you to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired in service to the people of Kenya. Serve with diligence, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the public good. As public officials, you hold positions of immense trust and responsibility. Citizens look to you not just to implement policy, but to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in every interaction.
Never forget that a single lapse in judgment or abuse of authority can have far-reaching consequences. When trust in public institutions is broken, whether through corruption, abuse of power, or neglect of duty, it can erode social cohesion and threaten national stability. Let your conduct inspire confidence, trust, and respect. Be the kind of public servant whose actions reinforce the legitimacy of government, uphold the dignity of the State, and strengthen the bond between citizens and their leaders. I thank you.