BY PRESIDENTS PRESS SERVICE
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| null     1/1 The President presents an award for the Cabinet Affairs Office to Francis Muthaura/PPS NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 16 - President Mwai Kibaki has assured all Kenyans that decisive action will be taken against those who are guilty of misappropriating public funds. The President said the public service must ensure maximum probity in the management of funds as part of its commitment to accountability for results. "The concept of performance contracting encompasses the core precept of accountability which, as your President, I wish to bequeath the country and leave as a legacy for posterity," President Kibaki said. President Kibaki was speaking on Thursday at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) during the official release of the evaluation results of the performance of public agencies. The President emphasised that his vision was that of ultimate realisation of a highly effective Government whose record will be defined by the quality of public service delivery in terms of accessibility, quality, timeliness, courtesy and affordability as well as entrenching the sovereignty of the citizens. Said the President: "As part of the commitment to accountability for results, we must also ensure maximum probity in the management of public funds and resources." The President stressed that the requirement to perform to international standards should be legislated to underwrite sustenance beyond political regimes and partisan conveniences. President Kibaki therefore underscored the Government's commitment to improving service delivery and ensuring proper utilization of public resources. He pointed out that the Government adopted the performance contracting system in 2003 to continuously reengineer public sector management in order to meet the growing public demand for better services. The President said with the new constitutional dispensation, initiatives relating to improvement of efficiency in the public service must reflect the spirit and letter of the new law. In this regard, President Kibaki urged the Prime Minister and the Minister of State for Public Service to ensure that through the performance contracting system, public service delivery is made fully seamless. "This is the only way we can justify the stewardship of tax revenues and any further demands on our tax payers," President Kibaki said. The Head of State noted that the performance contracting system has, in many ways, blended into every aspect of the country's development endeavours and resulted in marked improvement in the manner institutions manage their affairs. He added that the impetus provided by the performance contracting system has enabled the country to stand out in the region and the continent, with visible developments in many key areas. "These developments have included infrastructure growth, massive developments in energy generation, recovery and rehabilitation of major water towers and the tremendous progress we have made in the social sector, especially in health and education," the President said. Cumulatively, President Kibaki said, the developments have helped to reposition the country on the growth path, create competitive advantage for the country and restore trust in Government and the dignity of the public service. In addition, the President said the Government has put concerted effort to forge a stronger sense of nationhood by involving the public and key stakeholders in major programs through Public Private Partnerships. "This has been achieved, for example, through public participation in financing of public projects such as the infrastructure development bonds," President Kibaki said. President Kibaki also expressed satisfaction that the process of performance contracting has continued to win international, notably the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award in 2007. He observed that in the same year, Kenya's performance contracting system was recognized among the top 20 innovations in transforming government by the Ash Institute of Democratic Governance at the J. F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University. Said the President: "I am glad to note that this trend has continued and last year the system was the overall winner in All Africa Public Service Innovation Awards, 2010 sponsored by the Conference of African Ministers for Public Service under the auspices of the African Union." Following the consistent international recognition, President Kibaki said public officers have a responsibility to ring-fence the system and ensure it is strengthened and entrenched in all public institutions. The President commended all ministers, permanent secretaries and public officials for embracing the performance contracting system. "I also thank external experts who have partnered with us in perfecting the system, as well as our development partners for their support to the public sector reform program," President Kibaki said. During the occasion, President Kibaki presented trophies and certificates to top public service performers in recognition of their exemplary performance. In the government ministries and departments category, the Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 was rated the best while Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development and Cabinet office were runners up in second and third positions respectively. Kenya Wines Agencies was rated the best State Corporation, Nyamacha town Council best local authority, Kenya Technical Training College (KTTC) best tertiary Institution while Ministry of Livestock was the most improved. Releasing the results, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said performance contracting in the public service had proved to be a model now being emulated by several African countries. The Prime Minister said the system has impressed several African countries who are now seeking support and assistance of the Kenya government to develop theirs. Mr Odinga assured that the Government will continue reviewing the system with a view to improving and reflecting realities on the ground. Others speakers included the Minister for Public Service Dalmas Otieno and Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura. Follow us on TWITTER @CapitalFM_Kenya |
Read more: http://capitalfm.co.ke/news/Kenyanews/Kibaki%3A-Pilfer-public-funds-at-your-own-risk-13229.html#ixzz1PT1j9nd6
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