KWS HOSTS CHIEF OF STAFF AND HEAD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

Kenya’s Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Hon. Felix K. Koskei paid a familiarization visit to the Kenya Wildlife Service headquarters, Wednesday, 29th November, 2023.
Hon. Koskei was received by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Wildlife, Hon. Silvia Museiya, KWS Board of Trustees Chairman Lt. Gen (Rtd.) Walter Raria Koipaton, other board members, the Director General Dr. Erustus Kanga, Senior Management and staff.
Addressing staff at KWS Clubhouse, the Chief of Staff thanked the officials present for the warm reception accorded him. “I am delighted to join you as part of my working tours meant to familiarize myself with the workings of public service institutions earmarked as critical sectors for the implementation of government priority projects,” he said. Hon. Koskei humbly recognized and celebrated all the fallen conservation heroes who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty protecting wildlife, saying that Kenya will remain forever indebted for their sacrifice.
The Chief of Staff explained that his office, as the administrative head of the Executive Office of the President, is tasked with supervising and directing the Public Service, whilst ensuring that public servants maintain their solemn duty of service.
He commended the job done by KWS, recognizing the unique position the Service holds in managing and preserving our wildlife biodiversity and all other heritage sites, especially considering the broad nature of its mandate. The Chief of Staff said the government recognizes the immense sacrifices made by KWS staff, which has been instrumental in the preservation of our environment and positioned Kenya as a preferred tourism destination.
Hon. Koskei explained that, under the leadership of H.E the President, the Kenya Kwanza Administration has committed to certain priorities, such as revamping economic growth, job creation, bringing down the cost of living, improving foreign exchange earnings and delivering inclusive and shared prosperity from a bottom-up perspective. He added that KWS is an instrumental player in the achievement of these objectives.
The Head of Public Service noted that the Service’s Strategic Plan 2019-2024 identified bottlenecks to its conservation mandate such as: declining wildlife numbers as a result of degradation of ecosystems due to climate change, human activity, pollution and a slump in tourism arrivals, negatively impacting resource mobilization. “I assure you that these are the very issues that the government wants to see addressed, to enable this institution achieve its ambitious annual revenue target of 24 billion shillings,” he averred.
He stated that he was pleased to partner with KWS during the recently concluded National Tree Planting day, in keeping with H.E the President’s commitment to climate change mitigation and especially the goal of planting 15 billion trees by the year 2032, as a critical step towards conserving and managing the country’s wildlife, stopping and reversing deforestation and restoration of 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes.
The Chief of Staff advised on the need for partnerships for the success of KWS’s work, adding that strategic partnerships with stakeholders in the natural resources ecosystem among them, landowners, communities and conservation agencies as well as owners of private conservancies are necessary if the Service is to achieve the goals stated in the Strategic Plan. He lamented the lack of adequate partnerships which had led to the loss of a number of wildlife species over the last 30 years, stressing the need to stop further loss of our wildlife. “I am particularly keen to see greater partnership with the Kenya Forest Services and the Kenya Water Towers Agency,” he said, adding that these agencies have enormous resources which if well-coordinated and shared can help government reduce much of the waste that comes from duplication and overlap of activities.
Hon. Koskei said that the government is very deliberate and intentional on the issue of Good Governance, adding that, via Executive action of May this year, H.E the President issued a proclamation on the state of governance and corruption within the Public Service, having appreciated that they stood in the way of realising the development goals envisioned in Vision 2030 and the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). H.E the President was categorical that he will not tolerate corruption of whatever form or magnitude within the Public Service and that he would personally lead the war against corruption. “In this respect, my office has taken decisive measures to rally the Public Service towards a transformational journey,” Koskei said, adding, “My visit today, ladies and gentlemen, is one for me to extend an invitation to you to be part of this noble journey, because the image and international standing of our country is at stake; and we cannot continue to watch as a few greedy individuals compromise our lives and that of generations to come,” he stated.
Hon. Koskei encouraged KWS to implement adequate internal controls and risk management systems, including digitalization of services, to guard against waste, misuse and loss. Further, he urged Service staff to internalize the principles and values espoused in Chapter Six of the Constitution, on leadership and integrity.
He assured attendees that there will be neither victimization nor sacred cows in the government’s fight against corruption. Mr. Koskei reiterated that he is fully aware of the resource constraints facing KWS in the discharge of her mandate, encouraging innovation and the exploration of viable partnerships to facilitate sharing of resources, knowledge, information and expertise. He pledged to continue supporting the Service as a key enabler of revamping Kenya’s tourism and enhancing the country’s foreign exchange earnings. He concluded by wishing staff a Merry Christmas & a Prosperous New Year.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Wildlife Hon. Silvia Museiya pledged the Ministry’s support to ensure that KWS achieved its mandate, adding that the Ministry was happy with KWS’s performance thus far.
Lt. Gen (Rtd.) Koipaton expressed his elation at the Head of Public Service’s visit to KWS, adding that the BoT, management and staff work as a team. The Chairman appreciated that a visit from such a high-ranking official to KWS exemplified the Government’s dedication to collaborative engagement. Lt. Gen (Rtd.) Koipaton vowed to do what is possible to address the purpose for which the board exists and be able to drive KWS’s agenda forward and return the Service to the glory of its yesteryears. “It is possible, and with the synergy and support of the ministry, we will reach higher ground moving forward,” he said.
Director General Dr. Kanga introduced his management team to the Chief of Staff, explaining their functions in delivering the KWS vision through the Board of Trustees, adding that the Service’s conservation mandate is a 24-hour job which demands dedication on the part of the KWS teams.