How 'rogue' government HR officers are manipulating payroll systems
National
By
Muriithi Mugo
| Oct 13, 2025
The government has announced a nationwide crackdown targeting corrupt human resource officers implicated in manipulating government payroll systems.
Through the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, the state said the crackdown will begin this week.
Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku on Sunday issued a stern warning to civil servants engaged in fraudulent activities, stating that those found culpable will face immediate dismissal and prosecution.
Speaking in Embu during a Sunday church service, Mr Ruku revealed that a recent audit of the public service's human resource systems had uncovered widespread malpractice, collusion, and systemic abuse aimed at siphoning public funds.
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According to the audit report, some HR officers have been unlawfully altering the birth dates of public servants in government databases to extend their service beyond the mandatory retirement age.
He described this as not only illegal but a gross abuse of office that compromises fairness, transparency, and meritocracy in the civil service.
READ: State rolls out unified payroll number to boost accountability
The CS also disclosed that some human resource personnel have been facilitating illegal tax exemptions for select individuals, leading to significant revenue losses for the government.
He emphasised that such fraudulent conduct would no longer be tolerated under his watch.
“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,” Ruku warned.
The audit further exposed cases of job group manipulation, where civil servants were irregularly promoted or placed in higher salary brackets and within short periods without due process.
The CS noted that these actions have inflated the public wage bill and demoralised hardworking officers who adhere to proper procedures.
To address these issues, the he said the Ministry will work in close collaboration with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and other relevant government agencies to investigate and take action against rogue HR officers at both the 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,” said Ruku.
He added that investigations into payroll fraud, ghost workers, irregular promotions, and illegal allowances are already underway.
Ruku underscored that the planned reforms are aligned with President William Ruto’s broader agenda to entrench 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 stated.
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He reaffirmed his commitment to overhauling the payroll system, which he said has for years been manipulated to favour a few individuals at the expense of deserving civil servants and taxpayers.
Sending a strong message to all public officers, Ruku declared: “The government is coming for you. If you are involved in these irregularities, you will lose your job and be prosecuted.”
The CS also urged all public servants to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, dedication, and integrity.
He called on them to internalise and actualise the values and principles enshrined in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution, which outline national values and the 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.