Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has called for merit-based promotions and accountability in the public service, saying improved service delivery depends on a workforce focused on results.

Speaking at the National Productivity and Competitiveness Conference 2026 and the 2024/2025 Performance and Productivity Awards in Nairobi on June 19, 2026, Mudavadi said public institutions must embrace efficiency, professionalism and measurable outcomes.

He said the government is seeking to strengthen performance contracting and productivity management across ministries, departments and agencies, adding that career progression should be based on demonstrated performance and accountability.

“We must reject mediocrity, low productivity and underperformance, and instead build a public service driven by merit, professionalism and impact,” he said.

Mudavadi noted that outstanding public institutions were recognised during the event for excellence in service delivery under the Performance Contracting framework.

Bill on performance contracting

Mudavadi said legislation aimed at entrenching performance contracting and productivity management is ready for tabling in Parliament.

According to him, the proposed law will provide a stronger framework for accountability and support efforts to improve service delivery across government institutions.

He said productivity should translate into faster services, prudent use of public resources and improved outcomes for citizens.

“I reiterated that career progression and promotions within the public service should be anchored on demonstrated performance, accountability and the ability to deliver results for citizens,” he said.

The conference focused on measures aimed at enhancing competitiveness, efficiency and productivity in public institutions.

Reforms across public institutions

Mudavadi’s remarks come amid broader reforms within government aimed at improving performance and accountability.

Recently, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced measures affecting promotions within the National Police Service. The reforms target officers who have remained in the same rank for extended periods and seek to align promotions with merit and performance.

Murkomen said promotions would increasingly be linked to performance while officers would undergo mandatory training to strengthen professional capacity.

The government says ongoing reforms are intended to improve institutional effectiveness and ensure public agencies deliver services more efficiently.

Mudavadi said the ultimate goal is to ensure every public institution delivers value to wananchi and contributes to Kenya’s socio-economic transformation through improved productivity and accountability.