Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to purging corruption and inefficiency from the public service.
Ruku issued a stern warning that officers found engaging in malpractice will face both disciplinary and legal consequences for their actions.
Speaking during the 29th Annual Human Resource Management Conference in Naivasha, Ruku said sweeping reforms are underway to strengthen transparency, accountability, and professionalism across the public sector.
The CS expressed concern over rising cases of corruption, incompetence, and administrative lapses within human resource departments which he said have inflated the government’s wage bill and enabled the existence of ghost workers.
“Unfortunately, some HR practitioners have turned their offices into avenues of deceit, betraying the trust of Kenyans who rely on them for fair and transparent service,” he said.
Ruku disclosed that an audit conducted across government agencies had uncovered alarming cases of malpractice, including falsified academic documents, backdated birth records, and employees drawing double allowances or enjoying unlawful tax exemptions.
He said such schemes continue to bleed the government billions of shillings, adding that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate and prosecute offenders.
Ruku announced the roll-out of a digital application designed to capture real-time data on all civil servants, making it easier to monitor employment records and eliminate irregularities.
He further cautioned county governments and agencies that have yet to implement the Unified Human Resource Information System (UHRIS), insisting that compliance is now mandatory in line with the presidential directive.
“We are determined to clean up the system and an efficient, and accountable HR structure is the foundation of sustainable economic transformation,” he said.
The CS also called on the Auditor-General and other oversight bodies to intensify audits and enforce existing laws to eradicate fraud in public institutions.
He urged HR officers to uphold the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and responsibility, noting that Kenya’s economic progress depends heavily on effective management of its human capital.
IHRM Executive Director Quresha Abdullahi underscored the need for policy reforms that reflect the realities of a rapidly digitising economy.
She underscored the role of Artificial Intelligence as the new frontier in the world of work, noting that the local labour laws must evolve accordingly.
IHRM National Chairman Phillip Odera revealed that the institute has now attained full recognition as a State department, part of wider reforms aimed at professionalising the HR field.
The conference provides a platform for experts to explore topics such as ethical leadership, digital transformation in HR, and the integration of technology in service delivery.
By Erastus Gichohi and Mercy Mwende
