Focus on service delivery, DP Ruto tells public servants

DP William Ruto chats with Public service CS Cecily Kariuki after presiding over an award ceremony for public service at KICC Nairobi.

Deputy President William Ruto has asked public servants to abandon their political hangover and deliver on the Government’s policies.

The DP said the electioneering period is over and there was need to steer the country forward.

“Now that we are through with elections, Kenyans expect us to focus our agenda on service delivery. Kenya made a choice. It is our collective responsibility to live up to expectations of taxpayers irrespective of any affiliation.”

Speaking yesterday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi during Public Service Excellence Awards, the DP said public service is critical for leaders to deliver on their mandate and people to achieve their desires and aspirations.

Consequently, he urged public servants to acquaint themselves with the Jubilee agenda, saying it is the platform upon which the Government was elected.

“An efficient, professional and result-oriented public service is critical to any government and country. The Government works through the public service to deliver on its mandate and legitimate expectations of taxpayers irrespective of how they voted.”

Power and authority dedicated to leaders comes with responsibility to the people, he said.

The Deputy President said elections are about the people, politicians and manifestos, which have to be implemented once the cycle is over.

He said industrialisation or provision of universal health care, which Jubilee is keen to deliver, is for the people of Kenya and not any party.

Mr Ruto described the party’s manifesto as the textbook which Kenyans will use again in 2022 General Election to determine whether the party delivered or not.

He said it is imperative for public servants to overlook the political party one supported, saying they serve Kenyans and not parties.

The award is a recognition scheme established by the Commission in 2015.

The Scheme seeks to entrench recognition of outstanding and exemplary performance of

Public servants, improve employee morale and create a culture of appreciation.

The awards scheme recognises innovations and initiatives that create effectiveness in the Public Service through the introduction of new ideas, and better operational and clear-cut management methods which will lead in improved service delivery.

Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Sicily Kariuki said public servants were the bedrock of the government and needed to be encouraged to provide better service.

She urged other public servants to emulate those who had been awarded and provide exemplary service.