NAIROBI, May 19 – Top performing civil servants were a happy lot on Monday after President Mwai Kibaki directed that their salaries be increased to match the improved revenue collection and service delivery in their respective ministries.
Hailing their hard work during the release of performance evaluation results for public agencies, President Kibaki directed the Minister for Finance to authorise the top three institutions to increase the salaries of their top performing employees.
In the evaluation, the Ministry of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services was named as the top performer in service delivery to the public.
The ministry beat 37 others in the second annual review under performance contracting, involving ministries, state corporations and local authorities.
In a ceremony presided over by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Monday, the Agriculture Ministry which was the top scorer for 2006 dropped to 25th position.
The ministries of Regional Development and Special Programmes took the second and third positions respectively.
The Head of State said arrangements should be made to provide incentives to public servants in ministries that were underperforming.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Law Office and the Ministry of Planning and National Development were rated as the worst performers, earning them a warning from the President.
“We are presenting a challenge as well as a reminder to those public service managers whose performance remains below acceptable levels that the taxpayer cannot continue to sustain them in office,” he cautioned.
President Kibaki said that the public sector’s efficiency was a critical component of economic and national development and if enhanced it could improve the living standards of Kenyans.
He also said that his Government was determined to complete the phased harmonisation of salaries for public servants, whose implementation began in 2002.
The phased system has recorded an average salary increase of 127 percent between 2003 and 2007.
In his remarks, Odinga advocated for the introduction of performance contracts in the Judiciary.
He said this would not spell interference with the judicial system but would push them to clear the huge backlog of court cases.
“Evaluation must be extended to the non-executive arms of the government, which so desperately need improvement,” suggested Odinga.
At the same time, the Prime Minister said the recently created Ombudsman office should also be put under a performance contract to create an effective office where Kenyans could take their complaints and seek redress.
The PM also called for measures to make investment a one-stop shop, saying the red tape is costing the country billions of shillings in revenue.
“We must deliver world class, customer focused services. Many people want a single point of contact for a range of services,” said the PM.
In the performance evaluation Kenyatta University was rated as the best State Corporation followed by Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation. The Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL) was third.
The Kenya Medical Supplies Agency and the Coast Development Authority were named as the worst performing parastatals.
The Nairobi City Council was evaluated to be the best performing Local Authority.
Top 10 Ministries
1) Ministry of Gender, Sports , Culture and Social Services
2) Ministry of regional Development Authorities
3) Ministry of State for Special Programmes
4) Ministry of Energy
5) Ministry of Housing
6) Office of Vice President and Home Affairs
7) Ministry of State for National Heritage
8) Ministry of Health
9) Ministry of Immigration and Registration
10) Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Last 10 Ministries
1) Ministry of State for Public Service
2) Ministry of Local Government
3) Ministry of Trade and Industry
4) Public Service Commission
5) Ministry of Roads and Public Works
6) Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development
7) Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
8) Ministry of Planning and National Development
9) State Law Office
10) Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Top 10 State Corporations
1) Kenyatta University
2) Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation
3) Kenya Wine Agencies Limited
4) Kenya Medical Training College
5) Athi River Services Board
6) University of Nairobi
7) Maseno University
8) Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
9) Cooperative College of Kenya
10) Bomas of Kenya
Last 10 State Corporations
1) Kenyatta National Hospital
2) East African Portland Cement Company
3) Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels
4) Kenya College of Communications and Technology
5) National Environment Management Authority
6) Lake Basin Development Authority
7) Kenya Ports Authority
8) Kenya Sisal Board
9) Kenya Medical Services Agency
10) Coast Development Authority
Top 10 Local Authorities
1) City Council of Nairobi
2) Municipal Council of Chuka
3) Municipal Council of Mumias
4) Municipal Council of Nyeri
5) Municipal Council of Bungoma
6) Municipal Council of Naivasha
7) Municipal Council of Garissa
8) Municipal Council of Embu
9) Municipal Council of Mavoko
10) Municipal Council of Malindi
Last 10 Local Authorities
1) Municipal Council of Limuru
2) Municipal Council of Ruiru
3) Municipal Council of Kimilili
4) Municipal Council of Kakamega
5) Municipal Council of Maua
6) Municipal Council of Busia
7) Municipal Council of Machakos
8) Municipal Council of Nanyuki
9) Municipal Council of Kapenguria
10) Municipal Council of Webuye
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