Dr. Peter Mbae, Head of Government Delivery Services (GDS), has officially resigned from his position, citing unresolved challenges that have hindered his ability to effectively carry out his duties.
In a resignation letter dated January 9, 2025, and addressed to Mr. Felix K. Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Dr. Mbae outlined his reasons for stepping down and reflected on his journey in public service.
Dr. Mbae began by recounting his career trajectory, which started in January 2023 when he was appointed Secretary of Investments Promotion in the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry (MITI).
He also served as Head of the Ministerial Delivery Unit in the same ministry. In October 2023, he was appointed Head of Ministerial Programmes in the Ministry of Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management.
By June 2024, he had risen to the position of Head of Government Delivery Services, where he was tasked with overseeing the implementation of government programs across ministries, departments, and agencies.
In his letter, Dr. Mbae emphasized his dedication to his roles, stating:
“In all these positions, I served diligently with utmost commitment and sacrifice, driven solely by the genuine desire to achieve sustainable transformation in the lives of citizens in line with the Kenya Kwanza Government manifesto.”
However, Dr. Mbae expressed frustration over unresolved challenges that ultimately made his position untenable. He wrote:
“Despite my passion, focus, and consistency, for reasons and issues that I have consistently brought to your attention and have not been resolved to date, it has not been possible to carry out my duties as intended, and my position as Head of Government Delivery Services is no longer tenable.”
Dr. Mbae underscored the importance of being accountable to Kenyans, stating that his resignation was a necessary step to remain true to his commitment to the public.
He added:
“In order to be accountable to the people of Kenya, owing to the fact that the appointment was widely circulated, I therefore request to formally disengage from this appointment so as to pursue other interests.”
He concluded his letter by thanking the government for the opportunity to serve, saying:
“I thank you for the opportunity and trust you bestowed on me to serve in the public service.”
Dr. Mbae’s resignation raises concerns about the internal challenges within government delivery systems.
His decision to step down highlights the difficulties public servants may face in navigating unresolved systemic issues, even when acting with dedication and commitment.
