CS Ruku Orders Crackdown on HR Managers Accused of Manipulating Payrolls

 

The operation, spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service, will begin this week and aims to dismantle networks of officers accused of siphoning millions of shillings from government coffers.

 

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced the crackdown during a public address in Embu over the weekend, warning that those found culpable would face immediate dismissal and prosecution. 

 

He revealed that a recent audit of human resource systems in both national and county governments had uncovered deep-rooted graft and collusion among HR officials.

''We have a serious challenge with HR directors at both levels of government. Beginning tomorrow, we will issue instructions to the EACC because the audit report is not good. It has exposed massive manipulation of payroll systems by HR officers,'' he stated.

 

According to the CS, the audit unearthed cases where HR officials had altered job groups for select employees up to three times in a single year, a practice that inflated salaries and allowances unlawfully.

 

Some officers were also found to have created ghost workers, enabling them to divert salaries to fictitious accounts.

 

Ruku further disclosed that several civil servants were receiving double salaries from different government departments, while others were granted unjustified salary arrears and tax exemptions.

 

Adding that: ''We have seen shocking cases where employees who do not qualify for exemptions are enjoying them. This must stop immediately."

 

The CS noted that the manipulation extended to the promotion system, where unqualified staff were irregularly upgraded, disadvantaging deserving officers and causing distortions in the civil service structure. He warned that the ministry would be carrying out surprise audits to identify those involved.

 

''We cannot have a situation where officers are enriching themselves through deceit and manipulating systems meant to serve the public. Anyone found culpable will be interdicted and handed over to investigative agencies,'' Ruku warned.

 

He added that the ministry is working closely with the EACC to ensure the officers implicated face legal action, with the Public Service Commission set to undertake administrative disciplinary measures.