The government has issued a 21-day directive to all ministries, state departments and agencies to enforce a structured disciplinary framework, marking a new phase in its push to restore accountability and discipline across the public service. The move is part of a broader strategy to ensure strict adherence to performance standards and lawful instructions by public officers.

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei made the announcement during a meeting with Principal Secretaries and Heads of Legal, Human Resources, Audit, Procurement and Standing Committees on Wednesday.

He said repeated failure to meet targets or obey instructions will now trigger clear disciplinary consequences under a new performance management system.

“The message is clear and consistent. Administratively, the rules are known, and so are the consequences. Disregard of lawful instructions will attract formal reprimand or corrective action. Repeated failure to meet performance targets will trigger structured interventions or sanctions as appropriate,” said Koskei.

The disciplinary system, referred to as the Matrix of Legal Consequences for Infractions, sets out actions to be taken in cases of misconduct, non-performance, or failure to follow directives. Koskei said every public institution must now roll out the framework by briefing their officers, collecting signed acknowledgements, and submitting compliance reports within the set deadline.

“All ministries, state departments, and agencies are required to cascade the framework, conduct officer briefings, obtain signed acknowledgements, and submit compliance returns within 21 days,” he added.

Koskei explained that the framework ensures immediate response to disciplinary issues and enforces lawful consequences, in line with the government’s broader goal of enhancing service delivery and instilling a sense of responsibility within public offices.

The renewed focus on discipline comes against the backdrop of rising concerns over poor performance and laxity among public officers. Just two weeks ago, on July 15, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku cautioned that civil servants who habitually arrive late or fail to show up for duty would be classified as ghost workers.

Two days later, on July 17, Ruku announced that a new digital system was being developed to monitor attendance, punctuality, and performance of public servants in real time through a mobile application. He said the system would be used to tackle absenteeism and restore efficiency in public offices.

The combined efforts signal a tougher stance by the government in addressing inefficiencies and promoting a culture of accountability across the public service.