By Joseph Gachina,
Public service in Kenya has long been regarded as a noble calling, a platform for individuals to serve their nation with dedication and integrity. However, recent experiences and observations suggest a worrying decline in the quality of civil servants, raising concerns about efficiency, ethics, and the overall delivery of government services.
My father, who retired after more than 35 years of service as a civil servant, has constantly displayed the values of commitment and discipline that were once synonymous with public service. As a veterinary officer and meat inspector, he spent decades working in remote and urban areas, serving communities with unwavering dedication. Though less exposed to modern technology, his generation of civil servants demonstrated a remarkable work ethic and a deep sense of responsibility. Those employed before the turn of the millennium, like his father, often approached their roles with professionalism and integrity that seem increasingly rare today.
Unfortunately, my recent visit to a government office painted a starkly different picture, saying that corruption has become normalized, with some civil servants openly demanding bribes euphemistically referred to as “chai “ to expedite the processing of documents. The failure to pay this facilitation fee is met with a great level of frustration from the personnel, to the extent of being verbally and physically harassed in some institutions, which raises serious questions: Why should citizens be forced to pay extra fees after already covering official government charges? Why must every interaction with a public officer be tainted by the expectation of a bribe? This culture of “za macho” has eroded trust in public institutions and undermined efforts to improve service delivery.
Another glaring issue is the lack of continuous training and professional development for civil servants. In the past, government employees like my father regularly attended seminars and workshops, not just for the per diem but also to exchange ideas, learn new skills, and stay motivated. Today, such opportunities seem scarce, leaving many civil servants ill-equipped to handle the evolving demands of their roles. In an era of rapid technological advancement and complex social challenges, ongoing training is essential to enhance the competence and productivity of public servants.
The politicization of public service has also become a significant concern. Cabinet secretaries and other high ranking officials often make divisive political and tribal remarks, while even junior civil servants have become increasingly tribal and partisan. This politicization has seeped into the delivery of services, with reports of discrimination in the issuance of national identity cards, land grabbing facilitated by corrupt officials, and the misuse of law enforcement to target specific groups and people. Such practices not only undermine public trust but also Perpetuate inequality and injustice.
It exposes the government as unjust and against the people who elected them. At the heart of these challenges is a broader ethical crisis. Institutions like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which are tasked with oversight, appear to be part of the problem rather than the solution. Corruption, inefficiency, and poor work ethics have become systemic, leaving citizens frustrated and disillusioned. Who do they turn to? One of the key factors contributing to this decline is the poor remuneration of civil servants. The “lost dignity of the payslip,” as some have termed it, has left many public servants demoralized and desperate. When salaries are insufficient to meet basic needs, the temptation to engage in corrupt practices becomes harder to resist. The government must address this issue urgently by improving pay, providing better working conditions, and restoring the dignity of public service.
The consequences of these failures are evident: sluggish service delivery, rampant corruption, low productivity, and a growing pile of public complaints. Civil servants often appear overworked, underpaid, and demotivated, further exposing the bigger problem. To reverse this trend, the government must take decisive action and intentionally seek to improve the quality of civil servants and public service, including investing in training, digitizing services, upgrading equipment, and ensuring the health and security of public servants. Above all, civil servants must feel valued and respected for their contributions.
Public service is not for the faint hearted. It requires resilience, integrity, and a genuine commitment to serving the people. The government has a responsibility to restore the dignity of public service and ensure that civil servants are equipped to meet the needs of the citizens they serve. Only then can Kenya rebuild trust in its institutions and create a public service that truly serves the people.
The image of the government is at stake, and so is the well-being of every Kenyan who depends on its services. He says that we should not allow the legacy of dedicated public servants like his father to be overshadowed by the failures of today. Instead, we work towards a future where public service is once again a source of pride and a beacon of hope for those who are lucky to be part of it, for the greater good of the public. Restore the dignity of public service.
