Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, has called on civil servants to elevate their professional responsibilities by viewing their work as more than just a contractual obligation to the state. Speaking at the third Presidential Thanksgiving Service for Public Servants at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, Koskei urged state employees to approach their roles as a “covenant with a higher power,” where integrity, patience, and ethical service become integral parts of their public devotion.
In a powerful address to senior government officials, Koskei emphasized the importance of viewing one’s job through a spiritual lens. He argued that the resilience and commitment of a public servant are bolstered when their mandate is seen as part of a broader, moral purpose. “When you view your job description not just as a contract with the state but as a covenant with a higher power, everything changes,” he told the congregation, urging them to reinvigorate their sense of duty.
Koskei acknowledged the operational challenges facing civil servants, including limited resources and bureaucratic inefficiencies, but warned that these should not lead to complacency or disengagement. He urged senior officials to revisit the foundational passion and zeal they had when they first began their public service careers, warning that a “hardening of hearts” could jeopardize the effectiveness of the state’s social contract with its citizens.
Echoing Koskei’s sentiments, Deputy Head of Public Service Amos Gathecha reminded senior officers that they are custodians of public resources and guardians of societal trust. Gathecha emphasized that civil servants must maintain a high level of ethical standards and a sense of accountability to the public, as their actions directly impact the lives of citizens and the overall effectiveness of government institutions.
Koskei’s remarks serve as a call to action for civil servants to realign with the core values of integrity, ethical conduct, and devotion to public service, with the ultimate goal of fostering a more efficient and accountable government.
