Nairobi: Every day, millions of Kenyans interact with government services, often without seeing the complex machinery working tirelessly behind the scenes. At the heart of this system is the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital, a nerve center powering reforms that touch both public servants and citizens.
According to Kenya News Agency, the department is quietly transforming public service into a more agile, professional, and people-centered engine, built for the future. From Huduma Kenya’s frontline service desks to the National Youth Service’s nationwide programs and the Kenya School of Government’s training halls, these initiatives are reshaping how public service is delivered across the nation.
The department’s Principal Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital, Dr. Jane Kere Imbunya, highlighted their mission to ensure every Kenyan receives dignified, efficient, and people-first service delivery. As part of these efforts, the department introduced the Unified Human Resource Information System (HRIS-Ke/UHR System), aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability while managing the public wage bill. This system supports over 500,000 public servants, offering modules on payroll, pension claims, leave management, and establishment control.
The system’s goal is to consolidate human resources and payroll data into a centralized warehouse, eliminating manual and standalone payroll systems prone to manipulation. Dr. Imbunya emphasized that HRIS marks a turning point in managing talent and resources within the public sector, closing loopholes, enhancing accuracy, and strengthening integrity.
To ensure the system’s smooth running, 187 HR Champions across MDAs and counties were trained as Trainers of Trainers (ToT). The department has also trained 25,000 public servants through in-service programs, conducted nationwide Training Needs Assessments, implemented the Competency Framework across 16 MDAs, and supported counties by training over 52,000 government officers.
In addressing mental health challenges in public service, the government is implementing structured interventions, policies, and support systems to improve well-being and restore productivity. Initiatives include the establishment of wellness units and counseling helplines, capacity-building for mental health champions, and provision of psycho-education and specialized counseling to public servants.
According to Willis Ombima, the Ag. Secretary for Counselling, his Directorate has provided counseling services to active civil servants, the public, and individuals facing hardships due to job loss, addiction, and other challenges. Active counseling desks have also been opened in specific Huduma Centres to reach citizens more easily.
The department’s efforts extend to succession management, addressing challenges like an aging workforce and skills mismatch. Through the Kenya School of Government (KSG), the department trained and certified thousands of public servants in various programs, ensuring leadership continuity and skill readiness in the public sector.
Huduma Kenya continues to be a trusted face of the government, offering numerous services across various centers and through digital platforms. The department has conducted extensive outreach to deliver services to underserved communities, with a focus on enhancing customer experience and efficiency.
The National Youth Service (NYS), a subsidiary of the State Department, has also made strides in income generation and environmental initiatives, deploying thousands of youths to various projects and contributing to the national goal of planting billions of trees.
During the Public Service Reflection Dinner and Agenda-Setting Retreat, the State Department for Public Service was recognized with awards for their commitment to high standards of accountability and integrity. Dr. Imbunya expressed gratitude to her team for their dedication to making government work better for Kenyans, emphasizing their role in building a future-ready, ethical, and citizen-centered public service.
