Payroll cleanup paves way for increase of civil servant salary
KIBE MBURU-KNA
The National Government has announced a salary increase for civil servants across the country, effective this July, with Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku saying the adjustment will benefit only genuine public officers on the government payroll.
The Cabinet Secretary said the salary increase will be extended only to verified public officers as the government rolls out a centralized, tamper-proof Human Resource System (HRS) aimed at eliminating ghost workers and sealing payroll loopholes.
Ruku explained that the centralized Human Resource System will enhance payroll integrity across ministries, state departments, state corporations and other public institutions by strengthening employee verification, promoting accountability and eliminating payroll fraud.
Speaking during the Kipkelion East Constituency Academic and Prize Giving Day at Londiani Boys High School in Kericho County, Ruku said the reforms follow a government payroll audit that uncovered widespread irregularities.
This include illegal salary payments, duplicate employee records and weaknesses in existing payroll management systems that enabled ghost workers to remain on the public payroll.
“The salary increment this July will only benefit genuine civil servants. Ghost workers have no place in the government payroll under the centralised Human Resource System,” stressed Ruku.
He noted that the reforms are part of the government’s broader efforts to improve efficiency in public service and ensure prudent use of taxpayers’ money.
Ruku further announced that the government will construct a Huduma Centre in Kipkelion East Sub County to bring essential government services closer to residents.
“The Huduma Centre will enable residents to conveniently access services such as national identity cards, birth certificates, driving licences and other government services without travelling long distances.” explained Ruku.