Nairobi: Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said that corruption in Africa and abuse of public office is the root cause of the failure of public management. Noting that the twin vices had reached epidemic proportions on the continent, the PM pointed out that failure to overcome these and other constrains was a major drawback on efforts by most African countries to reform public services. Raila was speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference centre when he officiated at the opening of the aeventh conference of African Ministers for Public/Civil Service on Friday. He challenged politicians to do their jobs rather than playing partisan games, adding corruption will have to be rooted out rather than being seen as an opportunity.

Raila who spoke at the conference being attended by most of the 53 strong African Union Ministers of public service called for honesty by both politicians and bureaucrats saying efforts to reform public services had failed dismally due to failure to adequately address corruption and abuse of office and other constrains. "Institutional reforms will have to be made credible, enforceable and irreversible. Without these changes we have little hope of success," he added.

The PM however observed that some significant developments had occurred particularly those that find reflection in the more active participation of populations in the management of public affairs. Noting that this was clearly not sufficient, Raila said the organization, role and missions of African administrations require constant review and adaptation to fit their evolving political, economic and social contexts.

He said, "We need dynamic and flexible institutions that offer credibility in their representatives and their support for government policies. For we have no shortage of policies. Rather, there is a dire shortage of the will to implement them."

The PM emphasized that public administrations must be proactive in determining their contribution to resolving social problems-employment, health, education, housing and leisure-and improving service provision. He urged African countries to sign and ratify the African Charter adopted by African Union assembly of Heads of State and Government in January this year on the values and principles of Public Service and Administration saying it forms a legal basis and serves as key instrument for transformation of the public service in Africa.

"It offers a strategic approach to ensuring for all of us a people-oriented, accountable, service-driven national ethos," he added.

The PM at the same time attributed lack of incentives and professional frustrations to brain drain in Africa.  He said the continent has suffered huge losses of crucial human resources as bright young people seek better terms and job satisfaction abroad.

The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission Erastus Mwencha called for the galvanization of efforts by the public service in helping the African continent achieve the desired socio-economic development on the continent. Mwencha said high commodity prices coupled by high unemployment rates on the continent have further undermined efforts to get Africa out of the mire of stagnated economic development.

Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno urged the public service to redefine its position in ensuring service provision to the public in the respective states on the African continent.