NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 15 – Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, has issued a warning to civil servants who report late or fail to indicate up for responsibility, declaring they’ll henceforth be handled as ghost employees.
During an impromptu early morning inspection of presidency workplaces in Nyeri County, the CS discovered quite a few workstations unmanned and several other public officers absent or reporting late.
In a directive, he ordered all latecomers locked out and emphasised that the period of laxity within the public service was over.
“If you can’t hold time, you haven’t any enterprise being within the public service. Anyone who absconds responsibility or stories late will probably be handled as a ghost employee,” Ruku instructed employees gathered outdoors the Central Regional Headquarters.
The CS decried the widespread disregard for official working hours as a betrayal of public belief and a waste of taxpayer assets. He reminded public officers that they’re custodians of service supply and should uphold the best requirements of professionalism, self-discipline, and integrity.
Quoting Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution, Ruku underscored the core nationwide values of patriotism, accountability, transparency, and environment friendly use of public assets.
“The Constitution is evident. Policies are in place. There isn’t any excuse for indiscipline within the public service,” he stated.
He criticised civil servants who blame the federal government for non-performance whereas failing to fulfill their very own tasks.
“It will not be proper to say the federal government will not be working if you find yourself not doing all your half,” he stated.
Ruku famous that poor timekeeping and absenteeism contribute considerably to inefficiency, costing the general public sector billions of shillings yearly, whereas additionally eroding investor confidence and undermining nationwide growth objectives.
“Public servants have a accountability to create an surroundings the place providers are delivered effectively, the place companies can thrive, and the place each shilling of public cash is accounted for,” he stated.
The CS stated the Ministry would maintain supervisors and division heads personally accountable for self-discipline and efficiency inside their items. He insisted that efficiency have to be tracked utilizing the Performance Appraisal System (PAS), particularly in gentle of the just-concluded 2024/2025 monetary 12 months.
Ruku proposed the introduction of biometric methods, each day attendance registers, and CCTV monitoring, though he cautioned that such methods come at a price. Instead, he urged civil servants to embrace self-discipline and restore a tradition of accountability.
Referring to the 2022 Revised Public Service Discipline Manual, Ruku warned that persistent lateness and absenteeism would appeal to sanctions, together with wage deductions, official warnings, show-cause letters, and attainable dismissal. He acknowledged that even supervisors can be held accountable if discovered complicit.
Acknowledging that some absenteeism could also be linked to non-public or psychological points, the CS introduced plans to roll out psychological well being and counselling programmes, together with a nationwide worker satisfaction survey to establish root causes of demotivation.
“This is only the start.This behaviour should cease. We are severe about public service accountability and can take all essential motion as much as and together with dismissal to make sure that Kenyans obtain the service they deserve,” he declared.
Ruku urged all public officers to recommit to the beliefs of patriotism, professionalism, and onerous work, reminding them that they serve on the pleasure of the Kenyan individuals.
“Let us rise to the event. Let us do what we’re employed to do,” he acknowledged.
