Mombasa: The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development, Justin Muturi, has reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to upholding the principles of the African Charter on Values and Principles of Public Service and Administration. Speaking during the closing ceremony of a capacity-building workshop for directors and heads of Human Resource Management and Development on the piloting of the State Parties Assessment Tool (SPAT) at the Kenya School of Government, Mombasa, Muturi emphasized collective action and the government's dedication to building a public service that embodies excellence, trust, and equity, setting a benchmark for Africa.
According to Kenya News Agency, Muturi highlighted that the charter's objectives resonate with Article 232 of the Kenyan constitution, which focuses on promoting the principles and values of public service. The aim is to ensure transparent service delivery through the harmonization of policies and procedures related to Public Service and Administration among member states. He noted that several member states, including Namibia, Tanzania, and South Africa, have already piloted the SPAT, and it is necessary for Kenya to do the same. This will involve adopting, fast-tracking, and integrating SPAT into reporting processes to ensure standardized monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, fostering comparative learning to strengthen public service frameworks.
Muturi explained that the adoption of the African Charter on Values and Principles of Public Service and Administration occurred during the 16th Ordinary Session of the Heads of States and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The charter, which became the first legally binding regional Public Service and Administration instrument on July 23, 2016, aims to promote and improve quality public service delivery, fight corruption, and build a capable state for accelerated development in Africa.
Reflecting on the insights gained from the week's piloting of the SPAT, Muturi stressed that it is not enough to merely pilot and adopt the tool and its values; these must be lived daily in workplaces. He insisted on embedding these principles into the fabric of Kenya's Public Service institutions, ensuring they become a cornerstone of governance. Emphasizing Kenya's unique opportunity to shape its future, Muturi reaffirmed the country's capability and commitment to achieving excellence, trust, and equity in public service.
The Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Service, Amos Gathecha, highlighted that the three-day workshop provided a crucial tool for assessing performance against key values and principles. He reiterated that this tool is designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and cooperation among member states, reinforcing the commitment to a more effective and ethical public service. Gathecha urged attendees to take the initiative seriously and to create champions within their ministries to implement the tool. Noting that the SPAT has 350 items requiring attention, he emphasized the need for full compliance.