The Government has launched a nationwide headcount of public officers to curb payroll abuse, including ghost workers and unqualified promotions, amid reports that more than Sh6 billion is lost annually through ghost workers.
Public Service and Human Capital Development Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the Government would not tolerate leakages in the national payroll system, warning that anyone found culpable would face the full force of the law.
Speaking to human resource professionals at their annual conference in Naivasha, Ruku urged officers to uphold the highest ethical standards, strengthen accountability and improve productivity in the public service to enhance service delivery.
“When HR professionals abuse their trust, through ghost workers on the payroll, jobs sold for a fee, or promotions handed out to friends and relatives, it is not just an organisation that suffers but productivity in public service,” said Ruku.
The CS said the Government was seeking to shift its focus from headcounts to productivity, from activities to outcomes, and from effort alone to measurable value.
He urged HR professionals to help their organisations set clear targets, measure performance objectively, reward officers who deliver and deal fairly and constructively with those who fall short.
Ruku also called for continuous skills development, urging public institutions to allocate adequate training budgets to help officers adapt to a rapidly changing work environment, including advances in artificial intelligence.
He said human capital development should be a shared responsibility, supported by clear commitments and verifiable results. He urged HR officers to establish time-bound targets and regularly review progress.
The CS said Kenyans’ skills, training and qualifications must meet international standards to support the Government’s plan to secure employment opportunities abroad.
He added that HR officers should ensure Kenyans entering the expanding professional and technical job markets possess the skills required by employers.
Ruku cited Central Bank of Kenya data indicating that Kenyans working abroad sent home $5 billion last year, highlighting the growing demand for Kenyan skills in international labour markets.
He said a skilled workforce was also necessary for Kenya and its businesses to capitalise on opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, which serves a market of more than 1.3 billion people.
“Our local professional standards must be among the best on the continent, and certificates must be trusted wherever they are presented in the region and on the international stage,” said Ruku.
He further urged HR professionals to ensure that young Kenyans with the necessary skills access employment opportunities, citing the Dangote East Africa Petroleum and Petrochemicals Special Economic Zone, which is expected to create up to 60,000 direct and indirect jobs.
