Nairobi: Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix K. Koskei has highlighted the pivotal role that young professionals will play in shaping the future of Kenya’s public service. He emphasized that with more than 75% of the Kenyan population under the age of 35, any meaningful discourse on public service reform must prioritize the aspirations, competencies, and digital skills of young officers.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mr. Koskei stressed that the future governance of the country will be built through collaborative efforts across generations to improve service delivery to Kenyans. Speaking through Principal Administrative Secretary Arthur A. Osiya during the Public Service Intergenerational Dialogue Conference at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, Koskei reaffirmed the government’s dedication to developing a dynamic and future-ready workforce.
The conference, titled ‘Future-Proofing Public Service: Harnessing Experience and Innovation for Public Service Sustainability,’ brought together over 500 participants, including young and seasoned professionals, retired civil servants, and private sector leaders. The event focused on succession planning, mentorship, digital governance, artificial intelligence, and the mental health and wellbeing of public service officers.
Mr. Koskei described the three-day forum as an opportunity for genuine reflection on the values and future direction of Kenya’s national service. He praised the participants for their candid engagement and commended the centenary of the Kenya School of Government, acknowledging its role in evolving Kenya’s public sector.
Koskei highlighted several government initiatives aimed at positioning young officers at the core of governance, including the Public Service Internship Programme and the Young Leaders Development and Empowerment Programme. He announced the establishment of a national mentorship framework to facilitate knowledge sharing between young and seasoned professionals, thereby ensuring leadership continuity and ethical preparation.
The government is also focusing on data-driven governance, supported by the Regional Centre for Digital and AI Skilling at the Kenya School of Government. Koskei emphasized the importance of young people as digital natives in driving automation, data reforms, and transparency across government sectors.
Koskei encouraged participants to implement the ideas generated during the dialogue into policy and urged them to be proactive in influencing decisions and fostering innovation. He concluded by stating that the dialogue marked the beginning of a shared journey towards building a people-centered, future-ready public service.
The conference was organized by the Kenya School of Government in collaboration with key public sector stakeholders, drawing participants from various state departments and public institutions.
