Gov't raises concern over payroll fraud in public service, warns of disciplinary action

The government has raised concerns over rising cases of payroll fraud and malpractice within the public service, warning that disciplinary action will be taken against officers involved in unethical human resource practices.

Speaking during the 6th Certified Human Resource Professionals (CHRP) Ceremony at the Nairobi Expo Dome, Jamhuri Park, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Ruku said some HR officers have been colluding with public servants to alter job groups without proper approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC), leading to financial losses.

“We are facing a serious challenge in human resource management, especially where employees fail to report to work on time. We also have issues within the payroll system, where individuals are changing job groups without any official recommendation from the PSC,” Ruku said.

The CS described such actions as abuse of office and corruption, warning that the government would not tolerate any form of malpractice in the management of human resources.

Ruku urged HR officers to uphold integrity, accountability and professionalism in their work, noting that human resource management plays a critical role in ensuring transparency within government institutions.

During the ceremony, 1,130 new human resource professionals were officially certified under the CHRP programme, which is administered by the Human Resource Management Professionals Examination Board (HRMPEB).

Ruku said ongoing reforms, including automation of payroll systems and improved monitoring mechanisms, are intended to curb fraud and enhance efficiency in the civil service.

The event, which brought together government officials, HR practitioners and representatives from the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM), underscored the need for ethical leadership and professionalism in both public and private sectors.