Gov’t launches crackdown on corrupt HR officers over promotions, payroll and tax fraud

The Public Service Ministry has announced a nationwide crackdown targeting corrupt human resource officers implicated in manipulating government payroll systems, with the operation set to begin this week.

Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku 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 over the weekend, the CS 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.

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.

Ruku described this as not only illegal but a gross abuse of office that compromises fairness, transparency, and meritocracy in the civil service.

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.

Ruku noted that these actions have inflated the public wage bill and demoralised hardworking officers who adhere to proper procedures.

The CS said his 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.