Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has outlined a fresh push to improve how Kenyans access government services, saying the reforms are rooted in the Constitution and aimed at making public institutions more efficient, transparent and accountable.
Speaking during a public engagement hosted on his social media platforms, Ruku said the Government’s reform agenda is guided by Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution, which set out the national values of governance and the principles expected of public servants.
“The Constitution places the citizen at the centre of public service,” Ruku said. “Our responsibility is to ensure every Kenyan receives quality, timely and accessible government services regardless of where they live.”
The Cabinet Secretary said the Government wants to build a public service that responds more effectively to citizens while ensuring public resources are managed responsibly. He added that accountability, integrity and professionalism remain central to the ongoing reforms.
As part of the initiative, Ruku announced plans to hold weekly online public engagement forums where Kenyans will be able to ask questions, share concerns and propose ideas on improving government services.
“We want to hear directly from wananchi because public service must be responsive to the people it serves,” he said. “Their views will help us continuously improve the quality and efficiency of government services.”
A key pillar of the reforms is the planned expansion of Huduma Centres, which provide access to a range of government services under one roof. Ruku said the Government intends to increase the number of centres to 290, with the long-term goal of establishing at least one Huduma Centre in every constituency.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the expansion is expected to reduce the time and cost citizens face when seeking government services while improving access, particularly in underserved areas.
Ruku also highlighted efforts to modernise human resource management across the public service. These include digitising government systems, strengthening performance management and carrying out a payroll audit to identify and remove ghost workers and other payroll irregularities.
He said the measures are intended to protect public funds, improve efficiency and ensure taxpayers receive better value for money.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that the Ministry has, over the past 15 months, focused on improving service delivery through technology, stronger governance systems and higher operational standards across public institutions.
He also revealed that the Ministry is finalising a national internship policy that will introduce a standard framework for recruiting, placing and supervising interns across the public service. The policy, he said, is expected to create more opportunities for young people while supporting the development of skilled public sector workers.
The reforms come as the Government continues to face growing public expectations for faster, more transparent and more accessible services. Their success is likely to depend not only on policy changes but also on consistent implementation and public confidence in government institutions.
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