Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya and Italy have launched a structured partnership to strengthen leadership development and institutional capacity in the public sector, as part of efforts to build professional and resilient government systems capable of delivering inclusive development.
The collaboration brings together the Italian National School of Administration and the Kenya School of Government in a joint programme focused on governance reform, policy-oriented research, leadership training, and institutional strengthening.
The initiative is designed to support the development of agile, future-ready public services in both countries.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced the partnership during a keynote address at the Royal Palace of Caserta in Italy.
The event marked the launch of a flagship capacity-building programme for senior public officials from Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and Tunisia.
The initiative is being implemented under Italy’s Mattei Plan, a framework aimed at reshaping Africa–Europe relations through structured partnerships, institutional cooperation, and long-term human capital development.
Koskei said the collaboration reflects a growing recognition that strong institutions and professional leadership are essential for effective governance and sustainable economic transformation.
“This partnership aligns with Kenya’s commitment to building a professional, ethical, and high-performing public service capable of responding to emerging challenges and delivering results for citizens,” he said.
He noted that Kenya is implementing wide-ranging public service reforms focused on strengthening integrity systems, enforcing professional standards, and enhancing institutional resilience.
“Ethical leadership and accountability are the foundation of public trust. Our reform agenda is deliberately anchored on values-driven administrative cultures that promote transparency, professionalism, and service excellence,” Koskei added.
According to Koskei, the government is investing in leadership development to ensure senior officials are equipped with the skills required to manage complex policy environments, drive innovation, and support evidence-based decision-making.
He highlighted the strategic role of the Kenya School of Government and other public sector training institutions in mainstreaming these competencies across ministries, departments, and agencies.
“The Kenya School of Government remains central to our reform journey by embedding leadership, governance, and policy skills across the public service and supporting continuous professional development,” he said.
The partnership with Italy will facilitate knowledge exchange, joint research, and exposure to global best practices in public administration.
It will also support the design of reform programmes tailored to emerging governance challenges, including digital transformation, performance management, and citizen-centred service delivery.
Italy’s Mattei Plan seeks to reposition cooperation with African countries around mutual interests, institutional strengthening, and sustainable development rather than traditional aid models.
Participants in the programme include senior government officials from four African countries, reflecting a broader regional approach to building leadership capacity and strengthening state institutions.
Koskei said such partnerships are critical at a time when governments face growing pressure to deliver services efficiently while managing fiscal constraints and rising public expectations.
“Strong institutions and capable public servants are the backbone of national development. Investing in people and systems today is the surest way to build resilient governments that can sustain growth and improve the quality of life for our citizens,” he said.
