Koskei directs service commissions to monitor compliance with Harambee ban

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has issued a directive to the relevant bodies to ensure that no State officers or public servants participate in Harambees.

This is in line with President William Ruto's directive that no State officer or public servant should participate in public collections (Harambees).

Koskei in a letter dated July 9, 2024, said all commissions should work with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to establish an institutional framework to monitor compliance with this policy

"To enforce this new policy, all service commissions, including the Public Service Commission, Parliamentary Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Teachers Service Commission, and Police Service Commission, will collaborate with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). They will establish an institutional framework to monitor compliance with this policy," he said.

The framework as explained by the Chief of Staff will serve as an interim measure until a law is enacted to facilitate structured and transparent contributions for public, charitable, and philanthropic purposes.

Koskei noted that the President's directive aligns with the national principles and values of governance outlined in Article 10 of the Constitution and various laws, including the Public Officers Ethics Act, the Public Service Commission Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the Public Collections Act.

He emphasised the importance of upholding high ethical standards among public officers.

"All public officers are required to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct and to secure their strict compliance with the Directive," Koskei stated.

He also highlighted the need for officers to ensure that those under their supervision, direction, or control comply with this directive.

The letter was addressed to all Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, County Secretaries and Clerks, Controller of Budget, Auditor General, Director of Public Prosecution, Attorney General, Principal Secretaries, and Chief Register of the Judiciary, among others.