President William Ruto has summoned Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) and Principal Secretaries (PSs) to State House to sign fresh performance contracts on November 19
They are expected to commit to a new set of targets for the government’s priority projects amid pressure to deliver on pre-election promises.
The exercise, which is done annually, has more or less become a ritual with little to show for it. However, its proponents argue that it is part of Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for the public servants.
In a circular obtained by the Nation, Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei has ordered all CSs and PSs to be “physically present” at State House for the signing of performance contracts.
The event, to be presided over by the Head of State, is a culmination of a month-long negotiation and validation by ministries of key projects to be delivered by June next year.
The CSs and PSs have, during the exercise, been supervised by Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President responsible for Performance and Delivery Management in Government, Eliud Owalo, and Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau.
“…the President will preside over the signing of performance contracts for all ministries for the Financial Year 2024/2025 at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 9am,” said Mr Koskei in the circular dated November 12.
“The Attorney-General, all CSs and all PSs must be physically present at the signing ceremony.”
Chairpersons and chief executive officers of State Corporations have also been invited. Mr Koskei said the signing ceremony marks an important step towards achieving the country’s development goals, as well as enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery.
He described the exercise as a major management tool that facilitates timely implementation of priority commitments for public institutions while enhancing linkages between planning, budgeting and execution of their mandate/.
“The performance contracts for FY 2024/2025 have incorporated commitments to deliver Kenya Kwanza administration’s development agenda – Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (2022-2027).
The performance contracts have been successfully vetted and validated to ensure compliance with the 21st cycle performance contracting guidelines for FY 2024/2025,” he said.
This will be the second time the President is leading his Cabinet to set goals after a similar one done last year in August where Dr Ruto scolded some ministers for being clueless about their dockets while late comers were locked out.
