The government is set to introduce the Performance Management Bill, a legal framework aimed at enforcing accountability and efficiency within public institutions. This initiative, spearheaded by Eliud Owalo, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President for Performance and Delivery Management, seeks to address concerns about underperforming government agencies and their impact on national development.
Speaking at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) headquarters in Mombasa during a performance evaluation exercise, Owalo emphasized that public institutions must justify their existence by delivering tangible results aligned with their mandates. He revealed that the draft Bill is already in place and will soon be tabled in Parliament. Once enacted into law, it will make performance appraisals legally enforceable and introduce a structured mechanism to hold government agencies accountable.
“Organizations must justify their existence in line with their mandate. To augment this process, we are going to anchor performance evaluation and management into law,” Owalo stated. “The Performance Management Bill will ensure that the results of performance appraisals are legally enforceable.”
A core aspect of the proposed legislation is the introduction of a reward and sanction system. High-performing institutions will be recognized and incentivized, while those failing to meet their objectives will face consequences, potentially leading to their dissolution.
Owalo’s remarks came in response to concerns raised by KPA Chairperson Benjamin Tayari and Managing Director Capt. William Ruto. The two executives called for a revised evaluation system that considers external factors affecting service delivery. They highlighted challenges such as inter-agency inefficiencies and logistical delays that impact port operations beyond KPA’s control.
To address these concerns, the Bill will mandate the establishment of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between government agencies. These agreements will define clear responsibilities and timelines, ensuring seamless cooperation among institutions that share operational duties.
KPA, which manages key ports including Mombasa, Lamu, and Kisumu, along with inland container depots, is expected to benefit significantly from the structured accountability measures.
The Performance Management Bill marks a significant step towards improved governance, fostering a culture of efficiency, transparency, and accountability within Kenya’s public sector.
