PERFORMANCE SPEECH

ADDRESS BY THE RT. HON. RAILA AMOLO ODINGA,
E.G.H., PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF
KENYA, AT THE OFFICIAL RELEASE OF
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION RESULTS FOR PUBLIC
AGENCIES FOR 2008/09, AT THE KENYATTA
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, NAIROBI

ON 26th April, 2010.

His Excellency Mwai Kibaki, President and
Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of The
Republic of Kenya,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We meet here this morning to release the performance
score card for ministries, state corporations, local
authorities and tertiary institutions for the financial year
2008/2009. By releasing this document, we are reaffirming
to all Kenyans that each of us is ready to be
judged by the highest standards of efficiency and
transparency, and failing this test, to be held to account.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You will recall that last year, the Results of performance
for the previous financial year were held in abeyance. We
took this action because there were concerns that some of
the key Results did not seem to be in line with the
positions on the ground.
These anomalies have now been corrected. A
comprehensive set of Performance Benchmarks has been
developed with the help of international experts, and will
be introduced in the next Performance Contracting Cycle.
The Benchmarks will serve as a norm in identifying
appropriate performance indicators and performance
levels, among other uses.
In addition, I have directed that ministerial performance
targets henceforth be subjected to public hearings. This
will ensure that the targets meet requirements of the
public, and resonate well with their expectations. It will
therefore enhance broad public ownership of the targets
set by our Ministries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me now offer you some of the highlights of the Results
of the 2008/2009 financial year, and the first half of
2009/2010. The Results show that despite the aftermath
of the post election violence, and the vagaries of the
drought and the economic down-turns in the past two
years, on the whole, performance of government agencies
improved significantly.
First, 33 per cent of the Ministries secured positions in the
“Very Good” category, with the remainder, that is 62 per
cent, in the “Good” category. None of the Ministries was in
the “Fair” category but two institutions that did not sign
performance contracts were ranked in “Poor” category,
which constitute five per cent.
The two institutions have however signed this year. The
share of Ministries in the “Very Good” category increased
from 25 per cent in the previous results to 35 per cent
this time, while the share of Ministries in the “Good”
category fell from 75 per cent to 65 per cent.
Second, a similar improvement is recorded in the
performance of state corporations. In this area, 45 per
cent of state corporations secured “Very Good” compared
to 34 per cent in the last results, while 55 per cent
secured “Good” compared to 66 per cent in the last
results. There were no corporations lagging in “Fair” and
“Poor” categories.
Performance of local authorities recorded a remarkable
improvement. The number of local authorities in the “Very
Good” category increased from 4 to 11, and the number in
the “Good” categories rose from105 to 147. The number
in the “Fair” and “Poor” categories declined from 10 to 7
and 60 to 10, respectively.
Tertiary institutions too performed well. Thirty six (36) per
cent of these institutions were in the “Very Good”
category, 58 per cent in “Good” category, and the rest in
“Fair” category. These institutions were evaluated for the
first time,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In addition to the evaluation of government services
through performance contracting, the Government
conducted a nationwide customer satisfaction survey in
September 2009. The survey covered nearly 2,500
consumers of government services, and more than 1,000
public officials distributed in all 8 provinces.
The survey showed a customer satisfaction index of 63.5
per cent. This score is at par with performance of some of
developed countries. For example, New Zealand scored 68
per cent and Canada got 67 per cent in a similar survey
taken a few years ago.
I will be releasing the results of the survey to the public
shortly. Such surveys will, henceforth, be conducted
annually to gauge the performance of our public service,
and the government at large.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The inclusion of citizens’ service delivery charters and
independent customer satisfaction surveys has been
particularly important in the evolution of a citizen-focused
culture in the public service. These are vital instruments
for enhancing and measuring the propriety of service
delivery and also in reducing incidences of corruption.
The citizen-focused culture has been enhanced further by
the requirement for Public Agencies to be ISO certified.
Since the requirement became mandatory, a total of 56
public institutions, have been ISO certified. I direct here
that the remaining public agencies should immediately
begin the process, and be fully ISO certified by 2012.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we focus on improving the performance of the public
service, the constant critical frontier is the challenge of
the fight against corruption. As you are aware, President
Kibaki and I are taking up this flight at the highest level
possible.
To ensure the battle is intensified, I have directed the
Permanent Secretary, Performance Contracting in the
Office of the Prime Minister, to introduce an additional
performance criterion in the Performance Contract in the
next cycle. This criterion will be specific to the fight
against corruption.
All public institutions, including state corporations and
ministries will henceforth be required to outline their
individual measures to root out corruption. That effort and
its impact will have to be shared with the public. The
results we release today did not factor war on corruption
as one of the benchmarks. But as we proceed, fight
against corruption will be a critical area of survey that will
make a big difference in the ranking of institutions.
This, together with the other actions, should ensure the
fight against corruption is waged without fear or favor,
irrespective of seniority, social or political status, and is
accorded highest priority.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The objective of Performance Contracting is ultimately to
improve the performance of the Public Sector. The
evaluation of performance of Ministries is not an end in
itself.
Therefore, the Government will continue to take strong
actions to strengthen Ministries whose performance is
rated poorly. For example, the names of poor performing
ministries will continue to be published in the print media.
A reprimand will be issued by the President and the Prime
Minister. In addition, those ministries will be provided with
further guidance by the Office of the Prime Minister.
Let me make it clear. Officers who consistently perform
poorly will be required to give way to the many deserving
Kenyans who are seeking opportunities to serve the
country. On the other hand, good performers will be
rewarded with promotions, merit increases, and other
awards. Seniority and longevity of service alone will no
longer be a protection for any one or guarantees for
promotion. We will reward performance.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would note with satisfaction that an important progress
in the delivery of public services has been achieved
through Performance Contracting. For example, patient
care in public hospitals is much better now. Importantly,
through customer satisfaction surveys, suggestion boxes,
and hot lines, Performance Contracting has empowered
ordinary Kenyans.
The Government is committed to further strengthening
Performance Contracting, and to delivering key public
services that all Kenyans rightly deserve. I am confident
that we are on a right track.
Finally, let me say something about the most important
subject in our country today; and that is the search for a
new constitution. Contrary to misconceptions being
created, the Draft constitution is designed to improve the
performance of our public service. It will also improve the
working conditions of the civil servants.
The Draft Constitution promises to restructure, not abolish
public critical service institutions like the provincial
administration.
I want to urge the civil servants not to be driven by the
fear of the unknown when it comes to the draft
constitution. I urge them to familiarise themselves with
and embrace the draft. After all, it is our civil servants
that will be required to implement this draft.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is now my duty to release the performance results for
the 2008/09 financial year by announcing the top ten
performing institutions and also the bottom ten
performing institutions as follows:
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION RESULTS FOR TOP TEN
MINISTRIES/DEPARTMENTS
1. State Law Office
2. Ministry of Agriculture
3. State House
4. Ministry of State for Provincial Administration &
Internal Security
5. Ministry of Planning, National Development and
Vision 2030
6. Ministry of State for National Heritage and Culture
7. Ministry of State for Public Service
8. Ministry of Lands
9. Ministry of Roads
10. Ministry of Information and Communications
BOTTOM TEN MINISTRIES/DEPARTMENTS
1. Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife
2. Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs
3. Ministry of East African Community
4. Ministry of Regional Development Authorities
5. Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development
6. Ministry of Youth and Sports
7. Ministry of Industrialization
8. Ministry of Fisheries Development
9. Ministry of Labour
10. ministry of Livestock Development
11. Ministry of Foreign Affairs*(not evaluated because
they did not sign Performance Contract).
12. Public Service Commission*(not evaluated because
they did not sign Performance Contract).
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION RESULTS FOR TOP TEN
STATE CORPORATIONS
1. Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation
2. University of Nairobi
3. Kenya Literature Bureau
4. Retirement Benefits Authority
5. Kenya National Assurance Company (2001) Ltd.
6. New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Ltd.
7. Nzoia Sugar Company
8. Kenya National Trading Corporation
9. Kenya Sugar Research Foundation
10. Lake Victoria North Water Services Board
BOTTOM TEN STATE CORPORATIONS
1. Sports Stadia Management Board
2. Numerical Machining Complex
3. Postal Corporation of Kenya
4. Pyrethrum Board of Kenya
5. Kenya Institute of Special Education
6. Jomo Kenyatta Foundation
7. Kenya Industrial Estates
8. Chemelil Sugar Company
9. School Equipment Production Unit
10. Multi-Media University College of Kenya
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION RESULTS FOR TOP TEN
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
1. Town Council of Kangundo
2. Town Council of Malava
3. Municipal Council of Mombasa
4. Town Council of Rongo
5. County Council of Bungoma
6. Town Council of Malaba
7. Town Council of Narok
8. Town Council of Ugunja
9. County Council of Nzoia
10.County Council of Kitui
BOTTOM TEN LOCAL AUTHORITIES
1. Municipal Council of Busia
2. Municipal Council of Kerugoya-Kutus
3. County Council of Mwingi
4. Town Council of Matuu
5. County Council of Baringo
6. Town Council of Ahero
7. County Council of Kirinyaga
8. Town Council of Nyamarambe
9. County Council of Nyeri
10. Town Council of Oyugis
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION RESULTS FOR TOP TEN
TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
1. Rift Valley Technical Training Institute
2. Murang'a College of Technology
3. Eldoret Polytechnic
4. Kisumu Polytechnic
5. N’kabune Technical Training Institute
6. Igoji Teachers Training College
7. Kitale Technical Training Institute
8. Michuki Technical Training Institute
9. Mombasa Polytechnic University College
10. North Eastern Province Technical Training Institute
BOTTOM TEN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
1. Nairobi Technical Training Institute
2. Bondo Teachers Training College
3. Shanzu Teachers Training College
4. Kenya Polytechnic University College
5. Migori Teachers Training College
6. Kericho Teachers Training College
7. Eregi Teachers Training College
8. Kiambu Institute of Science And Technology
9. Narok Teachers Training College (now Narok
University College)
10. Sikrri Institute for the Deaf and Blind
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It now my pleasure to welcome His Excellency the
President to make his address and thereafter award
trophies to the best three performing institutions.
THANK YOU