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, Madam 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 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, Madam Wakoli 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 ultimate beneficiaries of public services.
“Performance contracting should not merely be viewed as a compliance 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 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.
Meanwhile, the Head of Public Service, Hon. Felix Koskei, emphasized that productivity must be measured because “what gets measured gets done.” He noted that the government must move from activity to impact, transform public resources into public value, and ensure that productivity becomes the organizing principle through which fiscal sustainability is strengthened, competitiveness is improved, and better services are delivered.
“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. Koskei.
In her keynote address, the Chief Justice of Kenya, Hon. Martha Koome, challenged public servants to treat their roles as their primary responsibility rather than a side hustle.
“Productivity and performance are not just concepts but pillars of building a just and prosperous nation,” said Hon. Koome.
Madam Wakoli 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 citizens’ 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 emphasized the need for Kenya to improve productivity levels as a pathway to fiscal sustainability, economic growth, and efficient service delivery.
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