Working Paper No. 32 of 2019 on Tracing the Path to Transformative Leadership in the Public Sector in Kenya

Abstract

The public sector is a benchmark in transforming leadership in the rest of the economy given its critical role in the development process. As such, the public sector reform process is crucial in improving public service delivery while cultivating leadership in the sector. Importantly, is that various factors characterize implementation of the reforms, including political will, relationship with development partners, involvement of citizenry including the private sector, and having in place a policy, legislative and regulatory framework. Further, there are guiding tenets in characterizing transformative leadership that include ethical standards, values of integrity and service, concern for the welfare of the people, statesmanship in attitude and purpose, and the ability to stimulate and inspire followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes in the process and develop their own leadership capacity (Regier, 2017). This paper traces the efforts made over time in promoting transformative leadership in the public service in Kenya. The paper looks at the policy, political and institutional environment surrounding public service delivery in Kenya in identifying factors demonstrating and promoting leadership in the public sector. It also identifies strategies used over time to nurture and strengthen transformative leadership and analyzes key indicators that point to the outcomes of the reform efforts in public sector. The key principles of transformative leadership including ethical standards, values of integrity, welfare of people, attitudinal change, and stimulating and inspiring leaders guided the discussions in the paper.