Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to delivering efficient public services, safeguarding livelihoods, and creating a stable and predictable environment that enables citizens to access opportunities.
Speaking during the official opening of the 3rd Annual Regulatory Authorities and Agencies Conference at South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) main campus in Kwa Vonza, Kitui County, Prof. Kindiki called on regulatory bodies to exercise their mandates with fairness, consistency, and transparency.
He emphasized that the country’s 127 regulatory authorities and agencies play a central role in shaping markets, enforcing standards, and protecting the welfare of Kenyans. He urged them to apply their statutory powers firmly and predictably in licensing, compliance enforcement, inspections, and approvals.
The Deputy President noted that aligning their operations with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is critical in reducing risks, improving compliance, lowering the cost of doing business, and enhancing the overall quality of life.
Prof. Kindiki challenged the agencies to strengthen coordination and improve decision-making processes to ensure faster and more effective service delivery. He warned that duplication of roles and lack of clarity among regulators could undermine government performance.
“We must ensure that the presence of the 127 regulators translates into coordinated strength, clarity, and efficiency rather than duplication, confusion, and delay,” he said.
The conference brought together senior government officials, including Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Principal Secretaries, and board members of various regulatory bodies.
The Deputy President stressed that the effectiveness of regulatory institutions directly reflects the government’s credibility. He warned that weak or inconsistent regulation erodes public trust, while transparent and fair processes enhance legitimacy.
“When regulation is firm, fair, and predictable, the Government earns trust and credibility. But when it is weak or opaque, the Government is perceived as unjust,” he observed.
He further urged public servants to remain diligent and avoid complacency, noting that their work must be visible and impactful to citizens.
“It is not enough that you are working; your work must be seen, felt, and experienced by the people we serve,” he stated.
Citing Article 232 of the Constitution, Prof. Kindiki underscored the obligation of public officers to uphold high standards of service delivery, insisting that no Kenyan should be mistreated or underserved.
“No citizen should ever have to ask where the Government is. Its presence must be felt wherever rules are enforced, safety is guaranteed, and fairness is upheld,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Deputy President assured Kitui residents of enhanced security following recent deadly clashes in the county. He revealed that security agencies have been instructed to intensify operations to prevent further violence while the government pursues a long-term resolution to the conflict.
“I want to assure the people of Kitui that the Government will ensure their safety. The latest incident will not be treated as an isolated case,” he said.
Prof. Kindiki warned that criminals exploiting resource-based conflicts would face decisive action, emphasizing that the government would not tolerate lawlessness regardless of an individual’s status.
“The same determination we have applied in suppressing banditry and terrorism will be used to deal with those hiding behind resource conflicts to commit crimes,” he declared.
He cautioned that any individual found culpable—including political leaders and public officials—would face the full force of the law.
“Crime is crime, regardless of who is involved, and it will be punished accordingly,” he said.
