Government unveils sweeping reforms to strengthen civil service welfare and efficiency

Speaking in a Bonga Na Gava podcast hosted by Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, Dr Jane Kere Imbunya, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development, outlined significant initiatives that are reshaping public administration in the country.

Central to the reforms is a renewed focus on mental health and wellness among civil servants. Dr Imbunya acknowledged that mental health, though often “unmeasurable,” is a critical pillar of workforce productivity and well-being.

She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives and exposed the urgent need for structured psychological support within the public service. To address this, the government has introduced a groundbreaking counselling initiative designed to break the stigma surrounding mental health.

“This program utilises a breakthrough training model where 'Mental Health Champions' are trained in just six weeks, rather than the three years required for professional psychologists, to provide early detection and timely intervention for colleagues in distress,” Dr Imbunya said.

The impact of the program, she said, has already been transformative, with civil servants accessing rehabilitation programs and successfully reintegrating into their roles as productive employees and peer mentors.

Dr Imbunya also highlighted ongoing administrative reforms anchored in the rollout of a new Human Resource Information System (HRIS), a digital platform that integrates all civil servant data into a single, unified system, effectively eliminating inefficiencies associated with manual processes.

According to her, promotions and salary processing previously depended on the physical movement of files between offices, a system she says was slow and cumbersome as well as prone to delays and errors.

“The government is utilising the HRIS to install strict controls against fraud and eliminate ghost workers. These reforms are vital for the national economy, as reducing wage bill wastage allows the government to redirect essential funds toward public services that were previously hindered by budget constraints,” She added.

In a strategic shift toward more inclusive leadership, the State Department has adopted a youth-centred approach to public service.

Dr Imbunya emphasised that public service is no longer a rigid institution perceived as reserved for older generations. Through structured roundtable discussions and consultations, Dr Imbunya says that the department is involving young officers, students, and youth at home in decision-making processes.

According to her, this approach has created a clearer framework for youth engagement and positioned the public service as a dynamic and forward-looking institution that reflects Kenya’s youthful population.

On health financing, Dr Imbunya clarified the transition from the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), describing it as a more comprehensive safety net for government workers and their families.

“Unlike NHIF, SHA introduces a dedicated fund for organ transplants, an essential service that was previously unavailable. It also includes an Ex-Gratia provision, ensuring that individuals who exhaust their standard medical allocation can still receive government-supported care. Importantly, SHA eliminates traditional waiting periods, with coverage commencing immediately upon registration, guaranteeing that health emergencies are addressed without delay,” the PS explained.

While complementing the reforms within the public service, the Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, noted that the government is continuing to invest in the youth through the NYOTA program.

Mwaura further welcomed KRA’s move to restore the nil return filing option for individuals witha single income. According to the spokesperson, the move is a step toward easing compliance burdens and expressed optimism that the measure will be implemented effectively.