Government launches nationwide crackdown on rogue HR officers over payroll manipulation, illegal tax exemptions

Human resource officers implicated in manipulating government payrolls have been put on the government radar, following an audit that uncovered unlawful alterations of civil servants’ records and illegal tax exemptions for select individuals.

The Ministry of Public Service has launched a nationwide operation to investigate and prosecute those responsible, warning that anyone found guilty will face immediate dismissal and prosecution under the law.

Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said a recent audit of public service HR systems exposed widespread malpractice, collusion and systemic abuse aimed at siphoning public funds.

According to the audit, some HR officers unlawfully altered the birth dates of civil servants to extend their service beyond the mandatory retirement age.

“These actions are not only illegal but a gross abuse of office that compromises fairness, transparency and meritocracy in the civil service,” Ruku said.

He also disclosed that certain HR personnel were facilitating illegal tax exemptions for select individuals, resulting in significant revenue losses.

“We have identified disturbing trends where certain HR officials are helping individuals evade taxes and manipulate official records to remain in service illegally. Those involved will be prosecuted and face the full force of the law,” the CS warned.

The audit further exposed cases of job group manipulation, where civil servants were irregularly promoted or placed in higher salary brackets within short periods without due process. Ruku said these actions inflated the public wage bill and demoralised hardworking officers who adhered to proper procedures.

To tackle these issues, the Ministry said it will collaborate closely with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and other relevant government agencies to investigate and take action against rogue HR officers at both national and county levels.

“We will be working very closely with the EACC to ensure taxpayers’ money is protected and that the public service becomes a model of merit, not a haven for corruption,” Ruku said.

Investigations into payroll fraud, ghost workers, irregular promotions and illegal allowances are already underway. Ruku stressed that these reforms are aligned with President William Ruto’s agenda to promote integrity, accountability and transparency in public service.

“The President is very passionate about the war on corruption, and as Cabinet Secretary, I am fully aligned with that vision. We will clean up the system and restore dignity to public service,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to overhauling a payroll system that has long been manipulated to benefit a few at the expense of deserving civil servants and taxpayers.

“The government is coming for you. If you are involved in these irregularities, you will lose your job and be prosecuted,” he said.

He also urged civil servants to uphold professionalism, dedication and integrity, calling on them to internalise and actualise the values enshrined in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution, which outline national values and principles of public service, including integrity, transparency, accountability and commitment to the public good.

“It is time for public servants to be part of the solution, not the problem. Let us restore credibility, trust and efficiency in our public institutions,” Ruku said.

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