In a powerful address to Kenya’s civil servants, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei called on state employees to view their roles not just as contractual obligations but as a “covenant with a higher power.” Speaking at the third Presidential Thanksgiving Service for Public Servants at All Saints Cathedral, Koskei urged civil servants to embrace integrity, patience, and ethical service as acts of public devotion, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the country’s governance.
Koskei’s call to action emphasized the importance of viewing public service through a spiritual and moral lens. He argued that when civil servants understand their roles as part of a larger, higher commitment, their approach to work will be fundamentally transformed. “When you view your job description not just as a contract with the state but as a covenant with a higher power, everything changes,” he said, inspiring the congregation of senior public officials.
Despite acknowledging the operational challenges faced by the public service, including limited resources and bureaucratic inefficiencies, Koskei stressed that these obstacles should not lead to complacency. He urged senior officials to rekindle the zeal they had when they first entered public service, warning that administrative fatigue and a “hardening of hearts” could undermine the state’s relationship with its citizens. He cautioned that such complacency directly impacts the effectiveness of the government’s social contract with the people.
Deputy Head of Public Service Amos Gathecha supported Koskei’s remarks, reinforcing the idea that senior officers are not only responsible for managing public resources but also serve as custodians of societal hope. The message underscored the responsibility of Kenya’s civil servants to maintain high ethical standards and dedication to their work, despite the inevitable challenges they may face in their daily operations.
Koskei’s speech serves as a reminder to all civil servants of the critical role they play in upholding the integrity of the state and maintaining public trust in the government.
