JUNE 8 – Kenya is gearing up to celebrate the 2025 Africa Public Service Day (APSD) from June 10 to 12 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, with innovation at the heart of this year’s agenda.
Organised by the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, the national event will bring together ministries, departments, agencies, and county governments to showcase forward-thinking solutions that are redefining how public services are designed and delivered. This year’s theme, “Enhancing the Agility and Resilience of Public Institutions to Achieve Equitable Governance and Rapidly Address Historical Service Delivery Gaps,” places a sharp spotlight on innovation as a driver of inclusivity, equity, and institutional reform.
A key feature of the three-day celebration will be a public exhibition of transformative innovations submitted by Ministries, Departments, Agencies and County Governments (MDACs). These innovations highlight practical interventions that have positively impacted service delivery, ranging from digital platforms to improved workflows that close historical access gaps. The most outstanding innovations will be vetted for possible presentation at the continental APSD event, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, later in June.
In line with the communication sent to all public institutions by the Principal Secretary for Public Service, Dr. Jane Jere Imbunya the Ministry has reiterated that participation in APSD 2025 is a national platform for institutional visibility, peer learning, and showcasing progress made in enhancing public service delivery. The PS emphasised that this year’s observance provides an opportunity for institutions to reflect on how they are aligning with government priorities, particularly around inclusion, digital transformation, and equity in service access.
Complementing the exhibition will be a national symposium that brings together public servants, experts, and scholars for discussions on strengthening institutional agility and reform. The forum will spotlight how innovation, citizen engagement, and public sector resilience can be harnessed to improve transparency, responsiveness, and accountability. Sessions will include case studies of homegrown initiatives and lessons from local and international reform efforts.
Unlike previous years, which focused on specific sectors such as education and agriculture, the 2025 celebration broadens the lens to examine institutional frameworks themselves. The goal is to identify the mechanisms that make public institutions resilient, adaptive, and capable of serving all citizens, especially those historically left behind.
The early scheduling of Kenya’s national celebration allows for in-depth evaluation, documentation, and peer learning ahead of the African Union-wide commemoration. This approach ensures that Kenya’s most promising innovations are not only recognised but refined for broader application across the continent.
Since its inception following a 1994 resolution by African Ministers of Public and Civil Service, APSD has evolved into a vital platform for promoting excellence, innovation, and accountability. Kenya’s 2025 observance continues this tradition, reinforcing the country’s commitment to a future where public service is both citizen-driven and innovation-led.
