Emerging Leaders Foundation Calls for Performance-Based Public Service Reforms at National Productivity Conference

The Founder and Executive Director of the Emerging Leaders Foundation Madam Caren Wakoli has called on the government to strengthen performance management in the public service through the adoption of robust performance contracting systems and the use of reliable data to assess the effectiveness of public institutions.

Speaking during the opening day of the National Productivity and Performance Conference at the Kenya School of Government , the Foundation's Executive Director Madam Caren Wakoli said Kenya's public sector can only achieve meaningful transformation if performance is measured against clear targets and backed by credible data.

The conference, which brings together leaders from the government, the private sector, academia, civil society and development partners, was officially opened by the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei. The three-day forum is focused on enhancing productivity, accountability and service delivery across public institutions.

Addressing delegates, as a panelist the Executive Director noted that while significant investments have been made in public sector reforms over the years, there remains a need to strengthen performance accountability mechanisms to ensure that government agencies deliver measurable results to citizens who are the end receivers.

"Performance contracting should not merely be viewed as a compliance and value addition requirement but as a strategic tool for driving efficiency, innovation and citizen-centered service delivery. Public institutions should embrace a culture where performance is continuously measured, monitored and improved," stated Madam Caren Wakoli.

She further emphasized the importance of collecting and utilizing sufficient performance data to inform decision-making and policy implementation. According to her, data-driven governance enables leaders to identify gaps, allocate resources effectively and reward institutions that demonstrate excellence in service delivery.

However the head of public service Hon Felix Koskei emphasised that productivity must be measured because what gets measured gets done, and that Government must move from activity to impact, transform public resources into public value, and ensure that productivity becomes the organising principle through which we strengthen fiscal sustainability, improve competitiveness, and deliver better services.

"I underscored that the Government will ultimately be judged not by the number of meetings held, reports produced, or processes completed, but by the improvements citizens experience in their daily lives. " Said Hon Felix Koskei.

On the other side of her Keynote address, the Chief Justice of Kenya Hon Martha Koome challenged those in public service when she exposed that the majority who are in public service do it as a side hustle and not as a mainstream hustle.

"Productivity and performance are not just concept but pillars of building a just and a prosperous nation " Said Hon Martha Koome.

The Executive Director observed that the availability of accurate and timely performance data would help build public trust by allowing citizens to track the progress of government programmes and hold institutions accountable for results.
She challenged ministries, departments, agencies and county governments to invest in modern performance monitoring systems capable of generating real-time information on service delivery outcomes.
The Foundation also urged public sector leaders to embrace innovation and technology in performance management, noting that digital tools can significantly improve efficiency, transparency and responsiveness to citizen needs.

The remarks echoed the broader theme of the conference, which seeks to shift the national conversation from measuring effort and attendance to measuring productivity, outcomes and impact. Organizers have emphasized the need for Kenya to improve productivity levels as a pathway to fiscal sustainability and efficient service delivery.