- Leadership is not about the power to command, but the responsibility to serve. The true measure of a chief is not the authority they wield, but the integrity they demonstrate, the justice they uphold, and the trust they earn from the people.
- Constitutional reforms mean little without a transformation in attitude and practice. Professionalism, political impartiality, accountability, and respect for human dignity must define the daily conduct of every public administrator.
- Public trust is earned through service, not demanded through authority. When chiefs embrace transparency, fairness, effective communication, and community partnership, they become a vital bridge between government and citizens, strengthening peace, security, and good governance.
Kenya’s Constitution of 2010 ushered in a new legal and administrative dispensation that necessitated the restructuring of the former provincial administration to align it with the devolved system of government. Section 17 of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provided for the restructuring of the provincial administration. To give effect to this requirement, Parliament enacted the National Government Co-ordination Act, No. 1 of 2013, establishing a framework for coordinating the functions of national government administration.
Under the former system, provincial administrators included Provincial Commissioners, District Commissioners, District Officers, chiefs and assistant chiefs, who were responsible for administration at the provincial, district, divisional, location and sub-location levels, respectively. Under the current framework, national government administration operates through county commissioners, deputy county commissioners, assistant county commissioners, chiefs and assistant chiefs, within their respective administrative jurisdictions.
Chiefs and assistant chiefs remain the frontline representatives of national government administration at the local level. Their responsibilities include coordinating and communicating government policies and programmes, maintaining law and order, supporting local security initiatives, and facilitating the resolution of community disputes.
In discharging these duties, they are expected to uphold the constitutional principles set out in Articles 10, 189, 201 and 232, which address national values and principles of governance, cooperation between national and county governments, principles of public finance, and the values and principles of public service, respectively. These provisions underscore the importance of professionalism, accountability, integrity, responsible use of public resources and respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.
From Personal Authority to Institutional Accountability
Under the former administrative framework, chiefs often operated within a highly centralised system in which their appointments and continued service were closely tied to the executive authority. In some instances, political considerations influenced their conduct, with administrators perceived as actively supporting the political interests of the government of the day.
The current legal framework seeks to strengthen institutional accountability and professionalise national government administration. Section 15(1) of the National Government Co-ordination Act provides for the recruitment and appointment of national government administrative officers through the Public Service Commission. This arrangement is intended to promote merit-based recruitment, professional competence and a more structured system of public administration.
The reforms also sought to redefine the relationship between administrators and citizens. Historically, chiefs were sometimes associated with coercive state authority, surveillance and the suppression of dissent. In certain circumstances, their powers were exercised in ways that undermined public confidence and respect for individual rights.
The Constitution of 2010 established a different standard. Article 10 requires public officers to uphold national values and principles of governance, including the rule of law, human dignity, human rights, equity, inclusiveness, integrity, transparency and accountability. Article 232 further requires public service to be characterised by high standards of professional ethics, efficient and effective use of resources, impartiality, fairness, responsiveness and equitable service delivery.
These provisions require chiefs and assistant chiefs to understand that their authority derives from the law and must be exercised in the public interest. Their role is not to rule over communities, but to serve them within the limits of their statutory mandate.
Public Trust and Administrative Performance
The far-reaching legal and institutional reforms were intended, in part, to rebuild public trust and strengthen the relationship between citizens and national government administrators. Although progress has been made in some areas, sustaining public confidence remains an important challenge.
A 2021 study by the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC), examining the role of chiefs in localised crime and security management in Kenya, reported a trust level of 47.9 per cent among Kenyans towards chiefs and their assistants. The study also highlighted the influence of educational attainment on administrative effectiveness and identified communication and public relations skills as important competencies for officers performing these roles.
These findings point to the importance of professional competence in local administration. Educational qualifications, relevant training, communication skills and the ability to engage constructively with communities can contribute to more effective service delivery.
However, qualifications alone cannot guarantee good performance. Integrity, impartiality, accountability, sound judgement and responsiveness are equally important. A well-educated administrator who disregards the law or treats citizens unfairly may still undermine public confidence.
Recruitment processes should therefore remain competitive and merit-based, with due attention to professional competence, ethical conduct, communication skills and an understanding of the communities being served. Continuous professional development and effective performance management are also necessary to ensure that administrators remain responsive to changing community needs.
Improving public trust requires more than institutional reforms on paper. Citizens must experience fairness, accessibility, respect and consistency in their everyday interactions with local administrators. Where such experiences become the norm, communities are more likely to cooperate with security agencies, report criminal activity and engage constructively with government programmes.
Political Interference and the Challenge of Impartial Administration
As efforts continue to improve public confidence in national government administration, it is important to examine the factors that may undermine these reforms. The NCRC study identified political interference and excessive alcohol consumption among some administrators as concerns affecting their effectiveness.
Political leaders have contributed to the development of local administrative infrastructure, including the construction and improvement of chiefs’ offices through initiatives such as the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), as well as through other forms of support. Such investments can improve the working environment for administrators, enhance accessibility and strengthen service delivery.
However, political support for infrastructure and public services must be distinguished from political interference in administrative decisions.
Concerns arise when political actors seek to influence law enforcement, shield associates from legitimate sanctions, undermine administrators who act impartially or use development decisions to punish communities perceived to be politically unsupportive. Such conduct, where it occurs, can weaken institutional independence and compromise the fair application of the law.
Chiefs and assistant chiefs are expected to serve all citizens without discrimination, regardless of political affiliation, social status or personal connections. Their responsibility is to implement lawful government policies and maintain order impartially, rather than advance the interests of particular political actors.
Political leaders, in turn, should respect the professional responsibilities of national government administrators. Development support should be guided by transparent criteria and public needs, while administrative and law enforcement decisions should be made in accordance with the law.
Maintaining this distinction is essential to preserving the credibility of local administration. When citizens perceive administrators as politically compromised, their willingness to cooperate with government institutions may diminish, making the delivery of public services and the maintenance of security more difficult.
Alcohol Abuse and Professional Responsibility
Another concern highlighted by the NCRC study relates to excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse among some administrators. This is particularly significant because chiefs and assistant chiefs play an important role in government efforts to address illicit alcohol, substance abuse and related security challenges.
The government relies on local administrators to coordinate enforcement activities, mobilise communities, communicate public health messages and support initiatives aimed at reducing the harmful effects of alcohol and drug abuse.
Where an administrator engages in conduct that compromises professional judgement, reliability or the discharge of official duties, public confidence can be undermined. Such behaviour may also weaken the credibility of government campaigns against illicit brews and substance abuse.
It is therefore important that administrators uphold professional standards in both their official conduct and their engagement with communities. Where misconduct occurs, appropriate disciplinary procedures should be applied consistently and fairly. Where alcohol dependency is involved, access to appropriate treatment and support may also be necessary, alongside the enforcement of applicable professional standards.
The issue should not be generalised to the entire administrative service. Rather, the reported findings should serve as a reminder of the importance of ethical leadership, professional accountability and responsible conduct among public officers.
Administrators cannot effectively lead community efforts against harmful practices if their own conduct undermines the objectives they are expected to advance.
Building Stronger Relationships with Communities
Unlike many other public officers who are regularly transferred between duty stations, chiefs and assistant chiefs often serve within communities with which they have long-standing social, cultural and personal connections. Their familiarity with local circumstances can be an important asset in identifying security concerns, resolving disputes and coordinating government programmes.
At the same time, these close relationships may present challenges. Personal interests, family connections, local rivalries and political affiliations can create pressure on administrators to favour certain individuals or groups over others.
For this reason, chiefs and assistant chiefs must exercise their authority with impartiality, integrity and professionalism. Familiarity with a community should strengthen an administrator’s understanding of local needs without compromising fairness or the consistent application of the law.
They should also cultivate open and constructive relationships with citizens. Accessible offices, regular community meetings, timely communication, transparent handling of complaints and respectful treatment can help strengthen cooperation between administrators and the people they serve.
Public participation and community engagement are particularly important in local security management. Residents are often best placed to identify emerging security concerns, social tensions, disputes and other challenges affecting their neighbourhoods. However, they are more likely to share information and cooperate with authorities when they believe their concerns will be treated fairly and confidentially.
Trust is therefore not simply a personal attribute of an individual chief. It is an important component of effective administration and community security.
The relationship between administrators and citizens should be based on partnership, mutual respect and cooperation. Chiefs must recognise that effective governance cannot be achieved through authority alone. It requires the participation and goodwill of the communities they serve.
Making Public Service the Priority
The transition from the former provincial administration to the current constitutional framework represents an important institutional change in Kenya’s governance. However, the success of these reforms depends on how effectively constitutional principles are translated into everyday administrative practice.
The government has a responsibility to protect professional independence, provide adequate working facilities, strengthen accountability mechanisms and ensure that recruitment and performance management remain transparent and merit-based.
Political leaders must respect the boundaries of administrative authority and avoid conduct that compromises impartial law enforcement or equitable service delivery. Communities, meanwhile, should be encouraged to engage constructively with local administrators, report misconduct through appropriate channels and participate in lawful initiatives aimed at improving security and public welfare.
Chiefs and assistant chiefs must take personal responsibility for upholding the standards expected of public officers. They should demonstrate integrity, communicate effectively, treat citizens fairly and exercise their authority within the law. They must also remain accessible and responsive to the concerns of the people they serve.
Ultimately, the transition from power to public service cannot be achieved through legislation alone. It must be demonstrated through the daily experiences of citizens who seek assistance, report insecurity, resolve disputes or access government services.
The chief in constitutional Kenya must therefore be more than a representative of government authority. The office should serve as a credible link between the state and the people, grounded in professionalism, accountability, respect for human dignity and mutual trust.
The true measure of this transition will not be the authority chiefs possess, but the confidence they inspire, the fairness they demonstrate and the quality of service they deliver to the people.
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The Writer is a Criminologist, Certified Security Risk Management Professional and Faculty Member at Brand Institute of Forensics and Security. Email: okirodaniel@gmail.com
