Kenya Fellowship Program for Public Servants Celebrates 65 New Graduates
Nairobi, Kenya - A day of celebration honoring the newly graduated 65 Fellows of the second cohort of Fellows in Kenya took place on Friday, 22 March 2024 at the Safari Park Hotel.
Emerging Public Leaders gathered with our partners in the Public Service Emerging Leaders Fellowship (PSELF), the Public Service Commission of Kenya, and Emerging Leaders Foundation Africa, along with esteemed guests from Kenyan government and philanthropy.
Felix K Koskei, EGH, Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, gave the keynote address:
“I am confident that this leadership development program has improved your decision-making and cross-functional skills by expanding your understanding of sector systems, methods, and procedures. With a broader knowledge, global perspectives, and leadership insights you learned through this fellowship, I believe that you are now ready to create an agile culture that embraces digital transformation and implements strategies that drive breakthrough innovation befitting a 21st century public service. That places citizens at the center of delivery.”
Ambassador Anthony Muchiri, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, also gave remarks:
“Training is equally very important…We are happy that the [Kenyan] government is trying now to add some money into the training budget. All of us are what we are here today because of continuous training. That is critical. It is also what will define you in the future.”
Felix K Koskei, EGH, Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service and William Asiko, Vice President of the Africa regional office for the Rockefeller Foundation present a graduation certificate to Sylvester Onsomo.
Ambassador Anthony Muchiri, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission addressing the gathered graduating second cohort and guests.
The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Haja Zainab Hawa Bangora, shared guiding principles from her career:
“Always understand that when you think about it, you dream it, you can do it. Nothing is impossible….[In] your journey you will fall down several times. Don’t stay on the ground. Don’t fall on your face. Fall on your back so you can look at the sky, then you will understand that the sky is your limit. There is nothing you cannot do.”
Vice President of the Africa regional office for the Rockefeller Foundation, William Asiko, shared a few stories with the Fellows:
“I was also once a public servant. I worked for the government. I was a state counsel for the attorney general’s office. I stayed in the public service for a short time, but in the six years I was there, I attended many capacity-building programs. …Capacity-building takes time. These leaders you see in front of you today had interventions 10, 20, or 30 years ago that are only bearing fruit now. Have patience.”
Dr. Mary Mwiandi, Public Service Commissioner, charged the fellows with this:
“You are the candle that is destined to light all other candles in the public service. You will never get dimmer by lighting another candle. In fact, there shall be more light. Go forth and serve. You are specially chosen for this great role. Grab it, work on it. You must work and serve with dignity and integrity.”
The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Haja Zainab Hawa Bangora spoke at the graduation ceremony.
Graduating Fellows Eliud Karani, Sylvester Onsomo, and stephanie ndiku applaud speakers during the ceremony.
Caren Wakoli, Founder and Executive Director of Emerging Leaders Foundation Africa, charged the graduates to continue a core component of their training and give back to the communities they serve with a sincere and intense conviction of service. She said:
“As a graduate, we are commissioning you to go back to your ministries and give back. Go back and give back. The society, Kenya, and Africa are hungry for souls on fire to serve and to serve sincerely and to lead change. You are that change that is well informed about public service.”
Secretary of Youth Raymond Ochieng briefly shared his experience as a public servant and explained to the graduates:
“Opportunities as young people in the public service are not a right. Being young is a space and an opportunity to prove yourself. The moment you have good ideas packaged and presented well, you will go far.”
Emmanuel Lubembe, chairperson of the PSELF Steering Committee and a member of the Global Board of Emerging Public Leaders, spoke about different kinds of leadership and how our Fellows retain leadership skills as Alumni and demonstrate value-driven leadership in all the work they do. He noted:
“Leadership must continuously evolve, (because) the environment continues to change. Therefore you must also evolve as a public servant in terms of making sure that we provide efficient, effective, and productive services to the people of Kenya.”
Founder and Executive Director of ELF-Africa, Caren Wakoli, presented Nelson Ochieng Mandela with his graudation Certificate.
Emmanuel Lubembe, chairperson of the PSELF Steering Committee and a member of the Global Board of Emerging Public Leaders shared remarks and congratulated the alumni.
Sylvester Onsomo, who was elected by his peers to be president of the second cohort of Fellows, addressed them:
“We have a duty and obligation to implement all that we have learned through the last year….[Let] us exemplify the leadership qualities we wish to see in others. Let us demonstrate commitment, dedication, and ethical conduct in all our work. Let us embrace the mantra of this program: nurturing value-driven leaders.“
The latest PSELF graduates come from 46 different Kenyan counties and serve in various ministries, agencies, departments, and specialities within the public service. Over the course of a year, these Fellows completed rigorous training to empower them with decision-making, policy design, and leadership skills. Their mentors and supervisors, who provided critical guidance and support, were also present to celebrate their graduation.
This premier public service leadership program in Kenya has supported 116 young leaders through their entry years as public servants, in partnership with the Chandler Institute of Governance, which supports the program’s training and mentorship curriculum.
Notes:
About Emerging Public Leaders
Emerging Public Leaders is a public service leadership organization that is preparing the next generation of competent and effective public sector leaders in Africa. EPL partners with governments and local organizations to rigorously identify public service professionals who are committed to practicing and promoting good governance throughout Africa. With our support throughout their career journeys, this diverse network of leaders influence and strengthen their country’s institutions for delivering democracy with excellence, care, innovation, and integrity. Learn more about EPL on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
About the Public Service Commission of Kenya
The Public Service Commission of Kenya is a body created under chapter VIII of the Constitution of Kenya to reform and transform the public service for efficient and effective service delivery. It is an independent state organ which does not fall under the Executive, legislature or Judiciary.
About Emerging Leaders Foundation
The Emerging Leaders Foundation Africa (ELF-Africa) exists to empower, support, and accompany young women and men to achieve meaningful, dignified, and impactful participation in governance, economy, and public affairs at all levels of society. Anchored on our foundational values-based approach to leadership as service. ELF’s vision is pursued through three program pillars namely the Governance & Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment, Livelihoods & Opportunity, and Leadership Development Program. Together with Emerging Public Leaders and the Public Service Commission of Kenya, ELF identifies and trains the next generation of excellent public service professionals committed to good governance through the Public Service Emerging Leaders Fellowship program. Learn more about ELF-Africa on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
About Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG)
The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is an international non-profit organization, headquartered in Singapore. Founded upon the belief that good governments are the foundation of flourishing, prosperous communities and nations, CIG supports governments in building leadership, institutions, and public service capabilities through training programs, projects and partnerships, and knowledge creation. For more news and information, visit https://www.chandlerinstitute.org or follow CIG on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @ChandlerINST
For more information, please contact Amanda at amanda@emergingpublicleaders.org and/or Penelope at penelope@emergingpublicleaders.org.
