NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has called on Kenyans to speak up against poor service delivery, corruption, and unresponsiveness in public institutions, reaffirming its commitment to accountability and transparent governance.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, in a statement marking this year’s Public Service Week, urged citizens to make full use of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ)—popularly known as the Office of the Ombudsman—to report cases of inefficiency, abuse of power, or violation of rights in government offices.
“Every Kenyan has a right to be treated with dignity, courtesy, and fairness in all government offices,” Mwaura said. “Citizens who encounter poor service delivery, corruption, or unresponsiveness are encouraged to report such cases to the Ombudsman.”
He said the government’s ongoing reforms aim to strengthen professionalism, integrity, and responsiveness within the public service.
“This commitment underscores the government’s effort to build a people-driven public sector guided by integrity and excellence,” he added.
Mwaura noted that accountability in governance requires an active partnership between citizens and state institutions.
While the government continues to improve systems, he said, the public must also take responsibility by reporting misconduct and service lapses.
The Commission on Administrative Justice, established under Article 59(4) of the Constitution and the CAJ Act of 2011, is mandated to address maladministration in public offices and protect citizens from unfair treatment by state officers and agencies.
The Ombudsman investigates complaints related to poor services, delayed responses, corruption, abuse of power, or violation of rights, and makes recommendations for corrective action.
It also carries out systemic reviews of public institutions to enhance efficiency and prevent recurrence of maladministration.
Mwaura described the CAJ as “a critical bridge” between citizens and government institutions, helping to strengthen Kenya’s culture of accountability and good governance.
During his statement, the Government Spokesperson also highlighted the NYOTA program, one of the government’s flagship youth empowerment initiatives targeting more than 820,000 young people across the country’s 1,450 wards.
The program provides three empowerment pathways—on-the-job training, recognition of prior learning (RPL), and business startup support.
Each youth entrepreneur selected under the initiative will receive Sh50,000 in startup capital, alongside training and mentorship to support self-employment and enterprise growth.
Mwaura said the government remains focused on ensuring that reforms and empowerment programs work hand-in-hand to create a more responsive, citizen-centered, and transparent public service.
