Summary:
The Kenyan government has given public officers 21 days to comply with a new disciplinary framework aimed at enforcing accountability and eliminating poor performance. Head of Public Service Felix Koskei says the system will punish repeated failure, absenteeism, and disregard for lawful orders with structured sanctions.
Public officers in Kenya who consistently underperform or disobey lawful instructions will now face formal sanctions, following the rollout of a new disciplinary and performance management framework by the Office of the Head of Public Service.
The move signals an end to laxity in public service, with ministries, state departments, and government agencies given 21 days to implement the framework and brief all staff.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, during a consultative session with Principal Secretaries and departmental heads from Legal, HR, Audit, Procurement, and Standing Committees, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the government is keen to restore discipline and efficiency in service delivery.
“The message is clear and consistent. Administratively, the rules are known, and so are the consequences,” Koskei said.
“Disregard of lawful instructions will attract formal reprimand or corrective action. Repeated failure to meet performance targets will trigger structured interventions or sanctions as appropriate.”
The new measures are encapsulated in the Matrix of Legal Consequences for Infractions, a framework that categorizes offences and outlines corrective action for misconduct, non-performance, and failure to follow orders.
Strict 21-Day Compliance Window
Koskei directed all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to cascade the framework to all officers, obtain signed acknowledgements, and submit compliance returns within 21 days.
He stressed that the framework demands not just punitive action but also prompt corrective measures, forming part of broader reforms to optimise public service delivery and bolster institutional accountability.
“All MDAs must conduct officer briefings and sign-offs to ensure every public servant understands the consequences of underperformance or indiscipline,” Koskei added.
Tougher Measures Coming for Absenteeism
This latest move comes in the wake of a renewed crackdown on ghost workers, absenteeism, and poor attendance. On July 15, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku warned that habitual absentees would be listed as ghost workers and face disciplinary action.
On July 17, Ruku revealed plans to deploy a mobile app-based attendance and productivity tracker, aimed at capturing real-time data on civil servants’ presence, punctuality, and output.
“This mobile system will boost transparency, identify habitual absentees, and restore the public’s trust in our workforce,” Ruku said.
The disciplinary framework is expected to be a game-changer in taming inefficiency and instilling a culture of responsibility across Kenya’s vast public service.
