The recent National Productivity and Performance Conference 2026 will be remembered as a defining moment in Kenya's journey towards a modern, efficient and citizen-centred public service.
More than a forum for dialogue, the event in June marked a national commitment to transform productivity from an aspiration into a measurable driver of governance, economic growth and service delivery.
Among the conference resolutions, Resolution Four stands out as the most transformative. It commits all public institutions to build a productive, values-driven and high-performance public service by strengthening human capital development, organisational culture transformation and change management.
The ambitious goal is to improve compliance with constitutional values and principles from the current performance index of 46.5 per cent to at least 75 per cent by June 2028.
This is not simply another reform target. It signals a shift in how we understand productivity in government. Productivity is no longer about doing more with fewer resources alone; it is about creating institutions where integrity, innovation, accountability and professionalism define how public servants work and how citizens experience government.
The conference affirmed a truth that has become increasingly evident across the world: sustainable public sector transformation begins with people. While technology, policies and systems remain essential, they cannot substitute for competent, ethical and motivated public servants. Organisational culture ultimately determines whether reforms succeed or fail.
Under Articles 234, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is mandated to establish and abolish offices in the public service, appoint and promote public officers and exercise disciplinary control.
It also is mandated to develop human resource management standards, promote the values and principles of public service, and evaluate compliance with those values across public institutions.
Resolution Four therefore reinforces the commission's constitutional responsibility to build a professional, ethical and high-performing public service.
The commission's role extends far beyond recruitment. It is the institution entrusted with shaping the quality of leadership and human capital across government.
Every merit-based appointment, competency framework, leadership development initiative and compliance assessment contributes to building a public service capable of meeting the expectations of a rapidly changing society.
The conference also reaffirmed that productivity must become part of organisational culture rather than remain an annual performance reporting exercise.
High-performing institutions are distinguished by leadership that inspires innovation, rewards excellence, upholds integrity and embraces continuous improvement.
They encourage learning, adapt to change and place citizens at the centre of decision-making. These are the values the PSC continues to champion.
Indeed, the journey towards implementing Resolution Four began long before the conference. The commission has been strengthening competency-based recruitment and promotion, mainstreaming productivity across public institutions, and investing in leadership and human capital development.
It also is supporting digital transformation and artificial intelligence skills, advancing diversity and inclusion, strengthening integrity systems and promoting continuous learning throughout the public service.
These initiatives are designed to ensure that productivity becomes embedded in the everyday culture of government institutions, rather than being treated as a periodic compliance exercise.
Equally important is accountability. Improving compliance with constitutional values and principles to 75 per cent by 2028 will require deliberate measurement, evidence-based decision-making and sustained institutional commitment.
The commission will continue working with ministries, departments, agencies, constitutional commissions and county governments to strengthen human capital development, monitor compliance with constitution Articles 10 and 232, promote organisational transformation and support reforms improving service delivery.
The commission's constitutional responsibility to evaluate and report on compliance with values and principles provides an important mechanism for ensuring that institutions remain accountable for progress.
Productivity must be measured not only by outputs but also by the quality, integrity and responsiveness of services delivered to citizens.
During the conference, President William Ruto challenged the PSC to ensure that merit, fairness and performance remain the foundation of recruitment, promotion and career progression, while making constitutional values the living standards of every public officer.
That call reinforces a simple but profound reality: the future of Kenya's public service depends on a workforce that is competent, values-driven and committed to excellence.
However, achieving the aspirations of Resolution Four cannot be the responsibility of the Commission alone. Every public institution must embrace this agenda.
Accounting officers must champion organisational transformation. Managers must invest in their people.
Public servants must commit to lifelong learning, innovation and ethical leadership. Productivity is ultimately a shared responsibility.
Ultimately, every Kenyan should experience the benefits of a productive public service through faster services, transparent institutions, responsive government and greater confidence that public resources are creating public value.
The writer is chairman of the Public Service Commission
