The government has launched a massive crackdown on corrupt human resource officers accused of manipulating promotions, payroll records, and tax details in the public service. The move follows a detailed internal audit that uncovered how some officers have been exploiting their positions to enrich themselves while distorting fairness in the civil service.
According to the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, the findings paint a troubling picture of deep-rooted misconduct that has been conducted for years.
Officers entrusted with managing personnel records are reported to have altered key details such as dates of birth to help certain public servants stay in office beyond the legal retirement age. Others reportedly changed job groups and pay grades, granting undeserved promotions and salary increases that have bloated the national wage bill.
Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, while speaking in Embu over the weekend, described the revelations as “a betrayal of public trust.” He said the government would not turn a blind eye to corruption in offices that are supposed to uphold fairness and accountability. “These officers have been manipulating the system for personal gain, burdening the wage bill and demoralising honest civil servants,” he said.
The audit also revealed how some HR officers colluded with staff to grant irregular tax exemptions, depriving the government of millions in revenue. For many civil servants, these underhanded practices have created frustration and resentment, especially among those who work hard but see others rise unfairly through corruption.
To address the problem, the Ministry of Public Service has teamed up with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Service Commission to investigate all officers suspected of involvement in payroll and promotion fraud. The agencies will also review how allowances are awarded and ensure that every public servant on the government payroll is genuine.
Cabinet Secretary Ruku said the aim is not only to punish wrongdoing but to restore integrity and confidence in public institutions. He emphasised that the reforms are part of President William Ruto’s wider agenda to make government systems transparent and accountable. “Integrity in government begins with discipline in managing our workforce,” he noted.
As part of the reforms, the ministry plans to introduce new digital systems to safeguard employee data and prevent manual tampering. Officers who have been complicit in corruption are expected to be suspended, investigated, and prosecuted where necessary.
For years, complaints about irregular promotions and ghost workers have haunted the public service, fuelling anger among genuine employees and wasting taxpayer funds. The ongoing crackdown targets HR departments at the national and county levels, signalling a serious shift in how the government intends to handle internal corruption.
Ruku affirmed that no officer will be spared if found guilty of abuse of office. “We will pursue those who have abused their positions with the full force of the law,” he warned.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
