NAIROBI, KENYA – In a sweeping move aimed at bolstering accountability across the civil service, the government has directed all public officers to complete a mandatory online training program on integrity and accountability by Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The directive, issued by the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, affects all levels of government, from ministries and state departments to parastatals, and is seen as a significant step to operationalize Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.

The two-week sensitization program, which commenced on October 29, 2025, is being conducted virtually, with public officers receiving login credentials to access the training modules. This initiative is part of a broader government strategy to tackle what officials have described as a culture of inefficiency and impunity that has hampered effective service delivery and eroded public trust.

A Renewed Push Against Graft

This mandatory training comes against a backdrop of persistent challenges in Kenya's fight against corruption. According to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, Kenya scored 32 out of 100, a marginal improvement from 31 in 2023 but still below the global average of 43. A score below 50 indicates serious levels of public sector corruption. The government's move is aligned with recent legislative and administrative reforms aimed at creating a more disciplined and ethical public service.

In July 2025, President William Ruto signed the Conflict of Interest Act, a new law designed to provide a comprehensive framework for managing conflicts of interest among public officers. This Act, which repeals the older Public Officer Ethics Act, empowers the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to oversee its implementation, including wealth declarations for all public officers. The EACC, in partnership with the Kenya School of Government (KSG) and the Office of the Head of Public Service, has been actively developing new curricula on governance, ethics, and integrity to be integrated into public service training. This ongoing training initiative appears to be a direct outcome of these collaborative efforts.

The current program is also consistent with the “Matrix of Lawful Consequences” unveiled by Mr. Koskei in July 2025, a disciplinary blueprint designed to enforce consistent penalties for misconduct, negligence, and non-compliance with lawful directives. That framework signaled a shift from policy statements to strict enforcement, with Mr. Koskei stating at the time, “Kenyans are tired of speeches. They want services that work.”

Implementation and Consequences

The online training modules are expected to cover key tenets of Chapter Six of the Constitution, which outlines the responsibilities of leadership, the conduct of state officers, and financial probity. The chapter establishes that the authority assigned to a state officer is a public trust, to be exercised in a manner that demonstrates respect for the people, brings honour to the nation, and promotes public confidence. The training aims to instill these principles and sensitize officers on the legal and administrative consequences of violations.

While the circular from the Head of Public Service outlines the mandatory nature of the training, the specific penalties for failing to meet the November 12 deadline have been linked to the broader disciplinary framework. Under the Public Service Commission (PSC) Regulations, any public officer who contravenes regulations or fails to implement lawful directives is subject to disciplinary proceedings. This can range from formal reprimands to more severe sanctions as outlined in the recently introduced Matrix of Lawful Consequences.

Civil society organizations and governance experts are observing the rollout closely. While many welcome the initiative as a positive step towards professionalizing the public service, questions remain about its long-term impact. Past efforts to enforce integrity standards have often faced challenges in implementation and political will. The success of this program, analysts suggest, will depend not only on the completion rates but on a sustained and impartial application of the disciplinary measures for non-compliance and subsequent breaches of ethical conduct. The EACC's National Integrity Academy, established to provide specialized training, is expected to play a crucial role in the long-term capacity building of public servants beyond this initial mandatory course.