NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenya School of Government (KSG) marked its centenary on Monday by graduating 432 Assistant County Commissioners (ACCs) with Diplomas in Public Administration and announcing plans to spearhead the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Kenya’s public service.
The milestone celebration, held at the institution’s Kabete Campus, also saw more than 1,000 public officers receive various professional certifications, while 530 newly appointed Deputy County Commissioners (DCCs) completed an induction programme conducted across the school’s Kabete, Baringo, Matuga and Mombasa campuses.
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku said the government was positioning Kenya to become a leader in artificial intelligence in Africa and urged public servants to embrace emerging technologies.
He said the Kenya School of Government would play a central role in equipping civil servants with the skills needed to harness AI and improve public service delivery.
Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the institution had spent the last century building the capacity of public administrators and strengthening government institutions.
He noted that the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) network now comprises more than 18,000 officers coordinating government programmes, peace, security and service delivery at the grassroots.
“It is fitting that, during this centenary year, we are graduating and inducting officers who will carry forward the next chapter of public administration,” Omollo said.
The Principal Secretary said the 432 graduates join 802 officers who had previously completed the Diploma in Public Administration programme, describing it as the largest cohort of National Government Administration Officers ever trained and promoted simultaneously.
He attributed the expanded training and promotions to reforms implemented under President William Ruto’s directive to address career stagnation within the National Government Administration Officers service.
According to Omollo, 394 Assistant County Commissioners and Assistant Secretaries have been promoted to Senior Assistant County Commissioners and Senior Assistant Secretaries, while 431 Senior Assistant County Commissioners and Senior Assistant Secretaries have been appointed Deputy County Commissioners.
He added that another 100 officers had been promoted to the rank of Under Secretary.
Omollo said the appointment of 530 Deputy County Commissioners would strengthen government coordination and service delivery at the sub-county level, noting that Kenya has more than 400 sub-counties compared to 290 constituencies, giving the national government a wider administrative footprint.
He said the training programme supports the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and ongoing institutional reforms within the security sector.
The ceremony was attended by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Public Service Principal Secretary Jane Imbunya, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, KSG Chairperson Justice (Rtd) Charles Nyachae and Director General Prof. Nura Mohamed, among other senior government officials.