𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞

Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service  Felix K. Koskei has underscored the critical role young professionals play in shaping the future of Kenya’s public service.

He noted that with over 75 per cent of the Kenyan population under the age of 35, any serious conversation about public service reform must centre on the aspirations, competencies, and digital skills of young officers.

“This dialogue is a profound national statement that the future of our service will be crafted hand in hand by every generation,” he said. “We are not here to simply admire history. We are here to shape the next century of public service, one that listens, learns, and leads.”

Mr Koskei stressed that the country’s next chapter of governance will be built through deliberate collaboration between generations to enhance service delivery to Kenyans.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Principal Administrative Secretary (PAS) in the Executive Office of the President, Arthur A. Osiya, during the Public Service Intergenerational Dialogue Conference at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Lower Kabete, which ran from November 26 to 28, 2025, Koskei reiterated the government’s commitment to nurturing a dynamic and future-ready workforce.

The conference, themed “Future-Proofing Public Service: Harnessing Experience and Innovation for Public Service Sustainability”, attracted more than 500 young and seasoned professionals, retired civil servants, and private sector leaders to discuss strategies for a resilient, future-ready service.

It focused on succession planning, mentorship and coaching, digital governance and artificial intelligence, as well as the mental health and wellbeing of officers during and after their service.

Koskei described the three-day forum as a “defining human moment”—a rare opportunity for honest reflection on the true soul, values, and future direction of the national service. He commended the participants for their candid engagement.

This year, the Kenya School of Government marks its centenary, a milestone Koskei hailed as symbolic of the evolving character of Kenya’s public sector.

From the beginning, he noted, the institution has grown into a pillar of statecraft, nurturing institutional memory, leadership culture, and policy innovation.

“For 100 years, this institution has ensured that our systems adapt, not stagnate. Its legacy is the reason our public service remains anchored, disciplined, and visionary,” he affirmed.

On capacity building and youth inclusion, Koskei highlighted several ongoing government initiatives designed to position young officers at the heart of governance. Chief among these is the Public Service Internship Programme, which provides thousands of graduates with a structured, practical pathway into government service.

He added that the Young Leaders Development and Empowerment Programme, implemented in partnership with KSG, ensures youth insights shape policy formulation.

Koskei added, “To our seasoned officers, your experience is a national treasure that provides stability. This dialogue strengthens your leadership by offering a platform to share wisdom while, equally important, learning from the innovative mindsets of the younger generation. Intergenerational collaboration is not about age—it is about partnership and mutual respect.”

Koskei further announced that the government is establishing a formalised national mentorship framework to bring young officers to share insights with seasoned professionals so as to strengthen and bring leadership continuity, ethical preparation, and institutional memory.

He also underscored the government’s robust push for data-driven governance, anchored in digital transformation and supported by the Regional Centre for Digital and AI Skilling based at KSG.

“Young people are digital natives,” Koskei said. “They must be the primary drivers of automation, data reforms, and transparency across government.”

Additionally, he revealed plans to strengthen the comprehensive mental health and wellness support system for public servants, noting that sustainability in governance requires prioritising the wellbeing of those who serve.

Koskei praised participants for challenging bureaucracy, proposing new systems to grow talent, and championing succession planning models that are competence-driven and merit-based rather than hierarchical.

“You have stepped forward as active shapers of the public service culture we aspire to,” he remarked. “Your ideas on digital inclusion, accountability, and data ethics are already transforming leadership.”

He emphasised that opportunities for leadership advancement are expanding, citing the appointment of Cabinet and senior government officials in their 30s as proof that age is no longer a barrier to public leadership.

Mr Koskei urged the participants to commit the ideas generated during the dialogue to policy, ensuring resolutions which are either short-term or medium-term, and even long-term, are implemented in their respective workstations.

Koskei challenged participants, telling them, “You are not here to be seen. You are here to influence decisions, to innovate, to question, and to build.

He said their unique energy, digital creativity, and sheer determination are the vital catalysts the government needs.

“Kenya’s future will be built by all of us working together, respecting the past, and embracing the possibilities of tomorrow,” he said. “This dialogue marks not an end, but the beginning of a shared journey.”

Public Service Commission of Kenya Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management Felix Koskei Kenya School of Government Government Advertising Agency Government of Kenya Spokesperson Directorate of Public Communications