Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, has called on Kenyans to embrace professional training offered by the Kenya School of Government (KSG) and take full advantage of government reforms aimed at improving service delivery.

Speaking during the ‘Huduma Smart Serikalini’ outreach in Ijarajara, Balambala Constituency, CS Ruku emphasized the need to build a skilled and responsive workforce to support the country’s development goals.

“KSG has campuses in Nairobi, Mombasa, Baringo, Embu, and Matuga. I encourage all Kenyans—particularly those in the private sector—to enroll in these professional courses that are essential for national transformation,” he said.

The outreach brought together hundreds of residents and local leaders, with services provided through mobile tents by Huduma Kenya, KSG, and the National Youth Service (NYS). The event was designed to bring government services closer to the people, and residents lauded the recent reforms, including the elimination of the previously inhumane vetting process for ID applications.

“In line with the President’s directive, no Kenyan should endure unnecessary delays or demeaning procedures to access basic services. These reforms are about dignity, justice, and citizen-centered service,” CS Ruku said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to Article 232 of the Constitution.

The CS highlighted ongoing efforts to decentralize public services, including the operationalization of the newly gazetted Sankuri Sub-County. He announced that the government will fast-track this process and provide funding for the construction of the Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) office in Sankuri Division, completing administrative coverage across all five divisions in Balambala Constituency. So far, four ACC offices have already been completed under the Ministry of Interior.

In terms of infrastructure, CS Ruku noted the government’s progress in upgrading roads within the region. He highlighted the 200-kilometre Garissa–Rahole Road, part of the LAPSSET Corridor, where the contractor has resumed works to upgrade it to bitumen standards. He also acknowledged the need for urgent improvement of the 110-kilometre Garissa–Balambala (Lower Corridor) Road, which is currently maintained by KeRRA but remains largely impassable. “We will work with your leaders to ensure these roads are prioritized by the national government,” he affirmed.

On electricity access, CS Ruku reported that 65 percent of households in Balambala Constituency are now connected to the national grid. However, about 35 percent of homes and trading centers still remain unconnected, and the government is working to close this gap. He added that the Ministry of Energy will collaborate with local leaders to implement last-mile electricity connections, particularly to support rice farmers with modern equipment such as rice-drying machines, thus boosting productivity and livelihoods.

Youth empowerment also featured prominently in the CS’s remarks. He emphasized the government’s plan to reform and expand the National Youth Service (NYS), increasing annual intake from 20,000 to 40,000 trainees, with a long-term goal of reaching 100,000. “We are repositioning NYS not just as a training institution, but as an engine for economic empowerment. By commercializing NYS projects and aligning them with national priorities, we will deliver real impact,” he said. The NYS field station in Jarajara, Balambala, continues to play a central role in training and local development.

Additionally, CS Ruku announced a new NYS-led initiative to unclog the River Tana and restore its natural flow. NYS will also utilize available land for rice farming and other agricultural ventures to improve food security in the region and support NYS sustainability.

On healthcare, the CS urged residents to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), describing it as a crucial pillar in achieving universal health coverage. “Every Kenyan deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare. SHIF is the way to achieve that,” he noted.

During his visit, CS Ruku also distributed relief food to families affected by recent floods, reaffirming the State Department for Special Programmes’ commitment to ensuring that no Kenyan suffers from hunger or disaster-related hardship.

“The President is deeply committed to the welfare of all Kenyans. That’s why the Affordable Housing Programme continues to uplift lives, as demonstrated in the recently unveiled modern homes in Mukuru slums,” he concluded.

CS Ruku was accompanied by MPs Amina Siyad (Garissa County), Abdi Omar Shurie (Balambala), Abdikadir Mohamed (Lagdera), Jarajara MCA Adam Durow, and senior government officials. Their united presence reflected the government’s resolve to deliver effective, inclusive, and transformative public services across Garissa County.