The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has commenced a staff sensitization exercise on the Draft Defence Civilian Staff Policy (DCSP) in the Coast region. The sensitization forums, held at the Kenya Navy Headquarters in Mtongwe and Mariakani Garrison, brought together both military and civilian personnel from the region.
This engagement seeks to gather feedback and input to refine the proposed policy.
Leading the exercise in the Coast region was the Defence Secretary Administration, Mr. Isaac Masinde, accompanied by the policy’s technical team and representatives of Heads of Department from Defence Headquarters.
The sensitization began at the Kenya Navy Headquarters in Mtongwe, where Mr. Masinde and team were received by the Commander Kenya Navy, Major General Paul Otieno. At Mariakani Garrison, they were welcomed by Garrison Commander Brigadier Joseph Mokwena.
In his remarks, Major General Otieno acknowledged the crucial role of civilian staff in providing administrative and logistical support, which complements military operations and contributes to the overall Defence mandate of protecting and defending Kenya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Mr. Masinde emphasized that the proposed policy aims to develop an integrated defence workforce, fostering collaboration between civilian and military personnel while maintaining their distinct roles. He noted that the policy would enhance efficiency, address workplace challenges, and strengthen institutional capacity within Defence establishments.
Brigadier Mokwena underscored the importance of the policy in guiding military-civilian integration within the Ministry. He highlighted that this integration would allow the military to focus on its core mandate while civilian staff handle administrative and logistical functions outside the military’s primary duties.
Additionally, Director of Human Resource Management and Development, Dr. Lilian Nzavi, and Chief of Inspectorate at Defence Headquarters, Brigadier Faustino Lobaly, both members of the DCSP technical team, reiterated the policy’s significance in improving efficiency and fostering a conducive working environment for both military personnel and civilian staff to enhance service delivery.
The exercise featured an open forum discussion that brought together senior officers, officers, service members, and civilians from various units and departments of the Kenya Navy and Mariakani Garrison.
Moving forward, the sensitization exercise will extend to the Defence Headquarters, Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and other military establishments across the country.
This initiative underscores the Ministry’s commitment to inclusivity and transparency in policy formulation. By directly engaging its personnel, the Ministry aims to develop a policy that reflects the perspectives and concerns of all its staff, who are the direct beneficiaries. The feedback gathered from these sessions will be instrumental in shaping the final DCSP.
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