NAIROBI – The Public Service Emerging Leaders Fellowship (PSELF), a year-long empowerment initiative aimed at enhancing the skills of young public officers, has entered its final phase in Nairobi. The programme, a collaborative effort between the Emerging Public Leaders Foundation (ELF – Africa) and the Public Service Commission (PSC), commenced its concluding segment on November 27th and is scheduled to run until December 1st at a hotel in Nairobi.
According to Kenya News Agency, the programme has specifically targeted public servants aged 18 to 35 years, focusing on honing their service delivery skills. The final phase of this comprehensive training and empowerment initiative was marked by a speech from Caren Wakoli, Founder and Executive Director of ELF – Africa. The programme, now in its fourth segment, has been instrumental in preparing the selected officials for more effective public service.
Dr. Sally Kosgei EGH, the former Head of Public Service, emphasized the importance of confidence, respect, and resilience in the face of challenges such as gender bias, hierarchy, and ageism in the public sector. She also highlighted the critical role of building and maintaining robust personal and professional networks for a successful and enduring career in public service.
Public Service Commissioner Dr. Mary Mwiyandi, in her address to the fellows, urged them to stay dedicated to citizen-centric service. She pointed out that leadership is not only about passion and drive but also about embracing challenges as learning opportunities. Dr. Mwiyandi’s remarks stressed the idea that effective leadership is noticeable and often requires sacrifices for the greater good of the nation.
Caren Wakoli, reinforcing these sentiments, underscored the significance of the mentorship provided by the programme. She projected that the training would yield significant benefits in public service, instilling a sense of purpose and focus in the young public servants. She concluded her speech with a potent message, encouraging the fellows to view crises as opportunities for growth and development.
This final stage of the PSELF programme marks a significant milestone in the development of young public service leaders, preparing them for future challenges and opportunities in their careers.