Story by PATRICK NZIOKA
Publication Date: 9/11/2007
The Kenyan Government has once again been nominated for an international award for improved performance in the public service.
The nomination by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, is awarded to those who excel in innovations in transforming Government service.
Performance contracts
It is the second award for the Government in transforming the civil service in as many months.
Recently, the country got the UN award for comprehensively introducing performance contracts across all cadres in the service.
Government spokesman Alfred Mutua says on the official Web site that the award is in recognition of the democratic growth taking place in the country where the Government is now accountable to the people as a result of reforms.
Rapid results
“The Government is now more accountable to the people through initiatives like the rapid results that is being rolled out whereby ministries deliver results in 100 days as well as other reforms including the performance contracting,” Dr Mutua said yesterday.
According to him, Harvard University conducts its own survey globally and ranks countries. Kenya is among three countries in Africa to make it to the top of the list, according to Dr Mutua.
It is only the top 20 that are selected to fight it out for the overall award.
Five finalists and a first winner of the IBM Award will be chosen from the top 20 and the winner will be announced and honoured at a reception and dinner on September 24, in Washington, DC.
