Public Servants in Nairobi County have been called upon to be ‘citizen-centric’ whenever they are providing government services.

Incoming Nairobi Regional Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo noted that as public servants they are expected to be conversant with government policies, projects and programmes to enable them direct the public on what is required of them as beneficiaries.

Kitiyo pointed out that, as government employees, they are required to discharge their duties with integrity, diligence and on time.

“The timely service delivery should be accompanied by good public relations to the satisfaction of those being served,” he emphasized.

Kitiyo was speaking during a familiarisation tour of Starehe and Kamukunji sub-counties to acquaint himself with the areas and the officers he will be working with. He addressed the national government administration officers and departmental heads from various ministries during the tour.

He at the same time stressed that government services offered by officers should be free, except services that require payment, for which the amount being paid should be the exact.

The regional commissioner also encouraged the officers to embrace teamwork for efficient and effective service delivery, saying that without it they might not succeed in accomplishing most of the tasks assigned to them.

“You must provide leadership in your areas of jurisdiction, be able to coordinate government functions well. You must understand your jobs thoroughly to enable you discharge your functions effectively,” he stressed.

The RC who was flanked by the Nairobi County Commissioner David Wanyonyi and the Nairobi Regional Administration Police Commander Peter Chemos emphasized the need for public servants to be conversant with government policies, projects and programmes.

He observed that when officers understand the policies, they will be able to direct the public as beneficiaries of the services they offer as well as answer questions from the public. He singled out SHA, the chiefs act, environment act, registration of persons act and the 100 per cent transition in schools among the policies and projects they should be conversant with.

“The government does a lot of projects and communicating clearly on the projects and policies to the public in a language they understand will enable them participate fully and take care of the projects, “he said.

Kitiyo told the chiefs and their assistants to ensure that all school going children in their areas of jurisdiction are admitted in schools as per the 100 per cent transition policy noting that its success will curb incidences of criminal activities in the sub-counties.

He also urged the administrators to promote peace building in their areas as well as mobilise members of the public to register for SHA, affordable housing and other activities that link their people with beneficial opportunities.

“You should be in the forefront in coordinating and monitoring development projects in your areas and in case you detect problems in the implementation, escalate it to the relevant authorities,” he advised.

He at the same time urged all the public servants to uphold qualities of good leadership and to embrace consultation for efficiency.

The regional commissioner noted that 80 per cent of the problems members of the public face are psychological and officers should serve those seeking services in their offices with decorum, noting that when people are spoken to well and directed well, they will be satisfied.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Bernadette Khaduli