NAIROBI, KENYA – The Office of the Head of Public Service has issued a stern warning to all civil servants who failed to attend the first wave of a mandatory virtual training program on ethics and integrity, cautioning that unspecified disciplinary action will be taken against those who miss a second and final opportunity this week. The move is part of a broader government campaign to enforce accountability and dismantle what officials have termed a "culture of impunity" within the public sector.

In a circular dated Wednesday, 19 November 2025, and distributed to all ministries, state departments, and agencies, Principal Administrative Secretary Arthur Osiya, on behalf of the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, instructed accounting officers to ensure all staff who missed the initial sessions from 3–7 November attend the make-up sessions scheduled from Monday, 17 November to Friday, 21 November 2025. The circular explicitly states that the Office of the Head of Public Service will maintain a register of all attendees, emphasizing that participation is not optional.

This compulsory sensitization program is focused on the "Matrix of Lawful Consequences for Infractions in the Public Service," a new disciplinary framework introduced in July 2025 to standardize penalties for misconduct, ranging from inefficiency and insubordination to corruption. Mr. Koskei's office has repeatedly stated that the training is a critical component of the government's strategy to improve service delivery and restore public trust by ensuring that all public officers understand their responsibilities and the consequences of their actions.

A Renewed Push for an Ethical Public Service

The government's renewed focus on discipline comes amid persistent public concern over corruption and inefficiency. 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 well below the global average of 43. A score below 50 is indicative of serious levels of public sector corruption. Furthermore, a 2025 Kenya Bribery Index report by Transparency International Kenya identified the police, land services, and civil registration as the sectors most prone to bribery.

The mandatory training initiative is aligned with a series of reforms aimed at professionalizing the civil service. In May 2025, the Public Service Commission (PSC) reintroduced mandatory in-service training programs, including the Strategic Leadership Development Programme and Senior Management Course, which had been suspended in 2020. The PSC noted that the suspension had led to a noticeable skills gap that negatively impacted service delivery. Similarly, a March 2025 PSC report highlighted significant human resource challenges, including over 113,000 unfilled government positions and the discovery of 1,019 employees with fake academic or professional certificates.

Collaboration and Consequences

The current training drive is a multi-agency effort. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been actively involved in capacity building, rolling out its own ethics and integrity training programs for various public bodies, including internal auditors and county public service boards. The EACC's National Integrity Academy, whose strategic plan was unveiled in January 2025, is central to this mission, offering specialized courses on leadership, governance, and corruption prevention.

While the government has emphasized training and sensitization, it has also strengthened the legal and regulatory framework for discipline. The Public Service Commission Act and its regulations empower the PSC to take disciplinary action against officers for misconduct, including the failure to implement lawful directives. The disciplinary manual for the public service outlines clear procedures for interdiction and suspension for gross misconduct. The new "Matrix of Lawful Consequences" builds on these existing frameworks by creating clear and predictable penalties for specific infractions.

The Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS) has yet to issue a formal statement on the latest circular. However, in previous engagements, the union has supported professional development while also advocating for fair labor practices and clear communication regarding disciplinary processes. The success of this initiative will likely depend on the government's ability to ensure consistent enforcement across all cadres of the public service, from junior officers to senior leadership, and to demonstrate that the training translates into tangible improvements in service delivery and a reduction in corruption.