Kenya’s Public Service CS Accuses Senior Civil Servants of Poor Work Ethic, Threatens Payroll Action

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has issued a stern warning to senior government officials, accusing them of chronic absenteeism and poor productivity while threatening salary consequences for underperforming civil servants.

During a television interview on TV47 Tuesday, February 3, CS Ruku revealed that senior officers across multiple government departments routinely delegate responsibilities to junior staff while failing to report for duty or maintaining irregular office attendance.

Senior Officials Accused of Entitlement Culture

The Cabinet Secretary criticized what he described as an entitlement mentality among high-ranking civil servants who believe their positions grant immunity from accountability standards.

“We have quite a number of public servants who, once they get into office, become so entitled and start developing a feeling that they cannot be taken anywhere. They behave as if it is a family business they are attending to,” Ruku stated during the broadcast.

According to the CS, this behavior pattern has significantly undermined service delivery across government institutions, with senior officials treating public sector employment as personal property rather than civic responsibility.

Interns Praised as Most Productive Government Workers

In sharp contrast, Ruku commended government interns as the most dedicated and reliable category within the civil service, noting their consistent attendance and diligent task performance.

“Most of the interns are the most effective because they are always present. Their seniors are, in many cases, nowhere to be seen,” the Cabinet Secretary observed.

The comparison highlighted what Ruku characterized as an inverted productivity structure where entry-level personnel demonstrate greater commitment than experienced officials drawing substantially higher salaries.

Surprise Office Inspections Reveal Attendance Gaps

The Cabinet Secretary’s assessment stems from unannounced visits to government offices in Mombasa, Kisumu, Embu, Nyeri, and additional urban centers where officials evaluated attendance records and service delivery standards.

These impromptu inspections revealed significant disparities in work ethic across different departments and geographic locations, with senior staff frequently absent during standard operating hours.

Immigration Department and Huduma Centres Cited as Exceptions

Ruku identified the Immigration Department and Huduma Centres as institutions maintaining high performance standards, attributing their success to strict reporting protocols and robust accountability frameworks.

The CS also commended officers under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), noting that educators largely comply with attendance requirements and fulfill professional obligations to the public.

These departments were presented as models demonstrating that proper oversight mechanisms can ensure consistent service delivery when effectively implemented.

Government Threatens Payroll Reforms for Non-Performers

Warning that complacency among senior civil servants will no longer be tolerated, Ruku announced that officials failing to meet performance expectations would face consequences.

“Such cases of failing to do what is required will not be tolerated. As a government, we are putting those involved on notice,” the Cabinet Secretary declared.

He revealed ongoing efforts to streamline the government payroll system, ensuring compensation is limited to active and productive employees contributing meaningful work.

Reforms Target Public Resource Efficiency

According to CS Ruku, the planned payroll reforms aim to improve public resource utilization while guaranteeing citizens receive quality services from government offices.

“The reforms will ensure better use of public resources and guarantee that Kenyans receive quality services from government offices,” he explained.

The announcement suggests potential salary adjustments or removal from payroll for civil servants who cannot demonstrate regular attendance and satisfactory job performance.

Broader Public Sector Accountability Push

The Cabinet Secretary’s comments reflect growing government frustration with perceived inefficiencies within the civil service, particularly among senior officials who command premium salaries.

Public sector reform advocates have long argued that Kenya’s bloated wage bill requires performance-based accountability to justify taxpayer expenditure on government salaries.

Citizens Await Concrete Action

While CS Ruku’s warnings have generated public discussion, observers note that previous government announcements about civil service reforms have often failed to produce tangible consequences for underperforming officials.

The success of the threatened payroll streamlining will depend on implementation mechanisms and political will to enforce accountability standards across government departments, particularly for senior officials with political connections.

The Ministry of Public Service has not released specific timelines for payroll reforms or detailed criteria that will determine which employees face potential salary action.

Citizens and civil society organizations monitoring government efficiency are expected to scrutinize whether the Cabinet Secretary’s warnings translate into measurable improvements in public service delivery across Kenya.