The civil service reform programme

Abstract

The Civil Service Reform Programme in Kenya was officially launched in August 1993, following years of internal studies and debates on improving efficiency and productivity within the Civil Service. Initiated under the Directorate of Personnel Management, Office of the President, the programme was designed to address critical areas such as organizational structure, staffing levels, pay and benefits, personnel management, training, and financial and performance management. The reform aimed to identify and implement sustainable cost-saving and productivity-enhancing measures. Key challenges included the rapid growth in the number of civil servants, particularly in lower non-managerial cadres, which strained budgetary resources. Additionally, outdated management information systems, inadequate performance appraisal mechanisms, and insufficient technical capacity within reform committees hindered progress. The reform highlighted the need for modernization of systems, transparency in performance evaluations, and donor support to address these deficiencies. The CSRP represents a comprehensive effort to restructure and improve the efficiency of Kenya's Civil Service, though significant challenges remain in achieving its objectives.