PS Omollo leads review of progress on national security, public sector modernisation

The government has reported steady progress in several key areas of public sector reforms, following the latest review by the Governance and Public Administration (GPA) Subcommittee of the National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC).

The meeting chaired by Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo in Nairobi highlighted updates across sectors including digital services, security operations, corrections infrastructure, and overseas employment programmes.

In the area of service delivery, the state department for ICT and the Digital Economy announced that over 22,000 government services are now accessible online via the e-Citizen platform.

A statement by GPA noted that the progress marked a significant expansion from just 300 services available two years ago. Further, it noted that an additional 2,412 services are in the process of being on-boarded.

“The State Department has also revealed that over 13.5 million users have registered on the e-Citizen platform, further contributing to the government’s efforts to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for wananchi,” the statement said.

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During the GPA meeting, the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration confirmed plans to procure 3,000 additional vehicles for the National Police Service, the Kenya Prisons Service, and National Government administration officers.

The statement noted that the vehicles will be acquired through the ongoing Government Vehicle Leasing Program, which is intended to strengthen logistical support for security operations.

The Department also disclosed plans to introduce electric motorcycles for Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs, aiming to improve administrative reach in remote areas.

In the corrections sector, the meeting reviewed ongoing efforts to relocate correctional facilities in Kitale, Kisii, and Homa Bay counties. 

Officials said that addressing implementation bottlenecks would be prioritised to facilitate the projects, which are linked to the affordable housing initiative of the government.

It noted that the relocations are also intended to decongest current prisons and support the transition toward a more rehabilitative correctional system.

In parliamentary affairs, the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs outlined its rollout of the Government Legislative Tracking System (LATIS), a digital platform designed to monitor bills, policies, and statutory instruments across ministries.

In a related move, the statement noted that the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy are collaborating to develop a Legal Case Management System.

This, GPA noted will allow real-time tracking of litigation involving government institutions.

The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services also reported incremental improvements in passport services, including the procurement of one million new passport booklets and the acquisition of two high-capacity printers.

According to the department, processing times have now been reduced to seven days for standard applications and 72 hours for emergency cases, a move intended to address the backlog of uncollected passports.

On matters of national security, the Ministry of Defence reported progress in the North Rift region under the National Shared Security Strategy. Rehabilitation of ten schools across six counties was cited as part of broader efforts to stabilise the area through investment in education infrastructure.

“These schools – Kolowa Primary School, Kasokotow Primary School, Kapindasum Primary School, Arabal Primary School, Mukutani Primary School, Chemoril Won Primary School, Loyapat Primary School, Pura Primary School, and Baragoi Primary School – are being restored as part of the broader strategy to ensure lasting peace,” the statement reads.

Employment opportunities abroad also featured prominently in the meeting. The State Department for Labour and Skills Development presented the Labour Mobility Strategy of government, aimed at easing pressure on the domestic job market and boosting diaspora remittances.

It was noted that remittance inflows are projected to increase from Sh607 billion in 2024 to Sh 640 billion in 2025 under the strategy.

The department reported that the Memoranda of Understanding had already been signed with Germany and Qatar, with additional negotiations underway with other international labor markets.

At the regional level, Kenya’s engagement in the Horn of Africa Initiative was also reviewed. Through collaboration among several State Departments and the National Treasury, Kenya has participated in the development of a Regional Peace and Social Cohesion Policy alongside South Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan.

Officials cited the completion of 26 socio-economic infrastructure projects in Turkana and West Pokot counties, linked to the Lokichar–Nadapal/Nakodok road project, as a notable achievement.

In foreign affairs, the State Department for Foreign Affairs reported the recent approval of the Kenya Foreign Policy 2024, which is expected to serve as a framework for the country’s diplomatic engagements at the national, regional, and international levels.

The GPA Subcommittee, established under revised government coordination guidelines, is tasked with enhancing governance, resolving policy bottlenecks, and accelerating service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies.

“The Governance and Public Administration Subcommittee, which was established under the Revised Guidelines on the Framework for Coordination and Supervision of Government Business and Operations across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, is responsible for enhancing governance, addressing policy bottlenecks, and accelerating service delivery,” the statement noted.