432 Assistant County Commissioners graduate as KSG marks 100 years

The government has graduated 432 Assistant County Commissioners (ACCs) with Diplomas in Public Administration as it steps up efforts to prepare public servants for a digital future, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking centre stage in the transformation of public service.

The graduation, held at the Kenya School of Government's (KSG) Kabete Campus on Monday as the institution marked its 100th anniversary, also saw more than 1,000 public officers receive professional certifications, while 530 newly appointed Deputy County Commissioners (DCCs) completed their induction.

Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku challenged public officers to embrace emerging technologies, saying Kenya is positioning itself as Africa's leader in AI innovation.

He urged civil servants to take advantage of training programmes offered by the Kenya School of Government to equip themselves with digital skills needed to improve service delivery.

Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo hailed KSG's century-long contribution to building Kenya's public administration, saying it has trained thousands of National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) over the years.

The network of NGAOs now comprises more than 18,000 officers responsible for coordinating government programmes, maintaining peace and security, and delivering public services across the country.

"It is fitting that, during this centenary year, we are graduating and inducting officers who will carry forward the next chapter of public administration," Dr Omollo said.

He revealed that the 432 ACCs join another 802 officers who recently graduated with the same Diploma in Public Administration during a ceremony presided over by President William Ruto.

According to Dr Omollo, the programme marks the largest number of NGAO officers ever trained and promoted simultaneously, helping to unlock career progression that had stalled for years.

He said the State Department partnered with the Kenya School of Government to expand training opportunities and implement promotions in line with the NGAO Scheme of Service following a directive by President Ruto.

As part of the promotions, 394 Assistant County Commissioners and Assistant Secretaries have been elevated to Senior Assistant County Commissioners and Senior Assistant Secretaries, while 431 Senior Assistant County Commissioners and Senior Assistant Secretaries have been promoted to Deputy County Commissioners.

A further 100 officers have been promoted to the rank of Under Secretary.

Dr Omollo said the appointment of 530 Deputy County Commissioners would strengthen service delivery at the sub-county level, noting that Kenya has more than 400 sub-counties compared to 290 constituencies, giving the national government a wider administrative reach.

He said the training is intended to improve coordination of government programmes at the grassroots while supporting the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and ongoing security sector reforms.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Public Service Principal Secretary Dr Jane Imbunya, Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang' Nyong'o, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Kenya School of Government Chairperson Justice (Rtd) Charles Nyachae, Director General Prof Nura Mohamed and other senior government officials.