“Hide Records at Your own Peril,” Government Warns Record Managers
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei addressing Records managers in Mombasa. (Photo By Mwakwaya Raymond)
Mbungu Harrison & Mwakwaya Raymond
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Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has warned records managers against unprofessional conduct, including hiding or misplacing files, saying such actions undermine public trust and taint the image of the profession and government institutions.
Speaking during the 9th Annual Records Management Conference (ARMA) in Mombasa, Koskei emphasized the need for integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct among record management officers.
He cautioned that instances where government records go missing or become “untreceble” will no longer be tolerated.
“We must uphold integrity and transparency. Records managers should be agents of accountability, not obstacles to service delivery,” said Koskei.
He urged the professionals to fully support the government’s digital transformation agenda aimed at creating efficient, citizen-centered services.
“We want a government that is agile, responsible, and responsive to public needs. Agility is key so that citizens can be served faster,” he added.
Koskei underscored the critical role of records managers in ensuring seamless government operations and encouraged them to advocate for visibility within the public service.
“Do not work in the shadows of other professions. Advocate for recognition because every office depends on proper records management,” he said.
The Head of Public Service reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital transformation across all sectors, noting that policies and frameworks have been developed to support modern records management.
“The era of manual record keeping is over. The government has invested heavily in ICT infrastructure and capacity building to support record managers nationwide,” he stated.
Koskei further revealed plans for collaboration between the Public Service Commission, the Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA), and the Ministries of ICT and Heritage to strengthen professional capacity in the sector.
“We will continue to support archivists and records managers fully. We also urge you to craft innovative solutions that advance smart governance,” said Koskei.
He added that the government envisions a simplified system where accessing information is easy and efficient.
Meanwhile, KARMA officials called on the government to support skill development and capacity building for records professionals to keep Bpace with rapid digital transformation.
KARMA Chairperson Cleophas Ambira said the association will continue partnering with the government to align record management with digital evolution.
“We are facing challenges in skill development because the digital world is moving fast. There are also gaps in the legal framework and a shortage of resources,” Ambira noted, urging government intervention.
KARMA Organizing Committee Chairperson Joan Kamau said the annual conference aims to review sector performance and identify areas of improvement.
Principal Secretary for Culture and Heritage Ummi Bashir emphasized the importance of records management in preserving national heritage and improving service delivery.
“We have made strides in strengthening records management across ministries. The transition to a digital landscape for all government functions is inevitable,” said Bashir.
She announced that the government plans to hire more records managers and enhance career progression for existing officers. So far, over 200 KARMA members have been promoted across various cadres.
The three-day conference brought together more than 500 delegates from across Kenya to deliberate on strengthening records management amid ongoing digital transformation efforts.
