Ministry of Public Service Leadership Signs 2021/2022 Performance Contracts
By Nelly Kosgey from psyg.go.ke
The recently reconstituted Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes has today held its 18th Cycle of Performance Contract signing ceremony for the Principal Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers and Chairpersons of Semi Autonomous Government Agencies.
Welcoming the new State Departments during the ceremony held at Kenya School of Government in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Margaret Kobia said that the two departments will add significant value to the ministry which has already been handling the vulnerable – women and persons with disabilities – under the State Department for Gender.
“It is clear, from the mandates, visions, goals and strategic interventions, that the two Departments come with established structures, roadmaps and directions for implementation in order to deliver services to the vulnerable,” said Prof. Kobia.
On his part, State Department for Social Protection, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes Principal Secretary, Mr. Nelson Marwa was thankful that the 4 State Departments had been put together under the social pillar function.
“I’m happy we have come together under the social pillars to serve the public. Let us serve Kenyans diligently for this is what we are paid to do,” said Mr. Marwa.
Development of Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASALS) Principal Secretary, Mr. Micah Powon welcomed the move by his Excellency to move the Department to the reconstituted Ministry.
“The State Department for Development of ASALs is happy to be working under this institution and we are focused to putting our efforts together to provide services to our people,” he said.
Performance Contracting has been a key accountability tool used by the government since 2003 in its endeavour to improve service delivery in the public service. The Performance Contract function falls under the State Department for Public Service.
Public Service Principal Secretary, Mrs. Mary Kimonye in her remarks highlighted the importance of performance contracts in terms of measuring performance in public service.
“Performance contracting aims at improving service delivery, reversing decline in efficiency, institutionalizing performance oriented culture and enabling performance measurement and improvement in the public service,” she said.
The Principal Secretary recognised the roles of each State Department in harnessing public service delivery.
“This ceremony provides a platform for us to meet, share and engage with one another as we recognize the integral role that each and every department plays in the service delivery process within the State Department,” she said.
The purpose of the Performance Contracting guidelines is to support MDAs, Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices in identification of their performance indicators and annual targets; undertaking negotiations and vetting; review of the vetted Performance Contracts; and in implementation of the Performance Contracts. The guidelines are also intended to ensure standardization of the Performance Contracting process and the Performance Contracts.
Present at the ceremony were Chief Administrative Secretaries, Hon. Rachel Shebesh, Hon. Beatrice Elachi and Hon. Jebii Kilimo; Uwezo Fund Board Chairperson, Prof. Lusenge Turoop and CEO Mr. Paul Lengapiani; Women Enterprise Fund CEO, Mr. Charles Mwirigi; Anti-FGM Chairperson, Mrs. Agnes Pareiyo and CEO, Mrs. Benardette Loloju among other senior Ministry officials.
