PS Dokota Calls for Stronger Governance as Public Sector Reforms Evaluation begins In Embu
The Government has embarked on a comprehensive evaluation of public sector reforms aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing accountability, and improving service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The exercise was officially launched by the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Idris Salim Dokota, PhD., CBS, during the opening of a high-level workshop at the Kenya School of Government (KSG), Embu Campus. The forum brought together senior government officials and key stakeholders to assess the implementation of existing Public Sector Reform (PSR) policies, frameworks, and programmes.
Dr. Dokota said the evaluation would provide an opportunity to measure the effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of reforms while generating evidence-based recommendations to guide future policy interventions.
"Public sector reforms have significantly strengthened institutions, improved operational efficiency, enhanced transparency and accountability, advanced the digitization of government services, and promoted a results-oriented culture across government," he said.
However, the Principal Secretary noted that implementation had been uneven across institutions, making the review timely and necessary.
"This evaluation provides us with a valuable opportunity to take stock of the gains made, identify existing gaps and challenges, and determine emerging priorities that require attention. The findings will help shape future reform initiatives and ensure that reforms continue delivering meaningful and intended results for citizens," he said.
Dr. Dokota underscored the importance of digital transformation in driving the next phase of reforms, saying technology would be central to building a responsive, efficient, and citizen-centered public service. He linked the reforms to the Government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy pillar.
He also highlighted the mandate of the State Department for Cabinet Affairs under Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, which assigns it responsibility for overseeing public sector reforms and coordinating the implementation of Cabinet decisions across government.
According to the Principal Secretary, the evaluation will establish a comprehensive database of reform initiatives, strengthen coordination among MDAs, and ensure reform programmes align with the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Kenya Vision 2030, the BETA Agenda, and other national development priorities.
The review focuses on three key pillars: Human Capital Development and Management Reforms, Legal and Institutional Reforms, and Systems and Processes Reforms. Dr. Dokota described the pillars as essential for building an efficient, accountable, innovative, and citizen-centered public service capable of meeting the evolving needs of Kenyans.
He urged participants to contribute candidly to the discussions by sharing practical experiences and institutional perspectives that would enrich the evaluation process.
"The quality of information and experiences shared during this exercise will determine the strength of our recommendations and ultimately contribute to improved governance, enhanced service delivery, and greater public trust in government institutions," he said.
Dr. Dokota reaffirmed the Government's commitment to evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement, saying the reforms were intended to deliver measurable outcomes for citizens.
At the same event, Kenya School of Government Director and Secretary Dr. Ann Kangethe emphasized the importance of the Public Sector Reforms Secretariat's guiding principle of "Set the Promise, Enable the Promise, Deliver the Promise" in advancing effective governance.
She said setting the promise involves defining clear priorities and commitments that address citizens' needs, while enabling the promise requires strengthening policies, institutions, resources, and partnerships necessary for implementation. Delivering the promise, she added, means translating commitments into tangible improvements in citizens' lives.
Dr. Kangethe called on public institutions to strengthen accountability, performance management, and results-based implementation, noting that KSG remains committed to supporting public sector transformation through leadership development, capacity building, research, and knowledge sharing.
"The ultimate measure of success is our ability to deliver meaningful results to citizens. Strong institutions, capable leadership, and effective implementation mechanisms are essential for achieving this goal," she said.
The workshop marks another milestone in the Government's efforts to strengthen public sector performance, improve coordination across institutions, and ensure reforms remain responsive to emerging governance challenges and the needs of Kenyans.
Among those who attended were State Department for Cabinet Affairs Secretary Administration Ms. Kula Hache, MBS, Head of the Cabinet Affairs Directorate Dr. Joy Murunga, and other senior officers from the State Department for Cabinet Affairs.