[Kenya] Government launches crackdown on HR managers accused of manipulating payrolls

In Kenya, the government has launched a nationwide crackdown targeting public service HR officers accused of manipulating payroll systems, promotion records, and tax deductions, Kenyans.co.ke reports. 

The operation, spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service, was due to begin this week. It aims to dismantle networks of officers accused of siphoning millions of shillings from government coffers. 

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced the crackdown during a public address in Embu. He reportedly warned that those found culpable would face immediate dismissal and prosecution.  

Mr Ruku stated that a recent audit of human resource systems in both national and county governments had uncovered deep-rooted issues and collusion among HR officials.

“We have a serious challenge with HR directors at both levels of government. Beginning tomorrow, we will issue instructions to the EACC because the audit report is not good. It has exposed massive manipulation of payroll systems by HR officers,'' he said. 

According to Mr Ruku, the audit unearthed cases where HR officials had altered job groups for select employees up to three times in a single year. The practice unlawfully inflated salaries and allowances. 

Some officers were found to have created ghost workers, letting them divert salaries to fictitious accounts. 

Mr Ruku added that several civil servants were receiving double salaries from different government departments, while others were granted unjustified salary arrears and tax exemptions. 

He said, ''We have seen shocking cases where employees who do not qualify for exemptions are enjoying them. This must stop immediately." 

He explained that the manipulation extended to the promotion system - where unqualified staff were irregularly upgraded, disadvantaging deserving officers and causing distortions in the civil service structure - and warned that the ministry would be carrying out surprise audits to identify those involved. 

''We cannot have a situation where officers are enriching themselves through deceit and manipulating systems meant to serve the public. Anyone found culpable will be interdicted and handed over to investigative agencies,'' Mr Ruku said. 

The Cabinet Secretary added that the ministry is working closely with the EACC to ensure that implicated officers face legal action. The Public Service Commission is reportedly set to undertake administrative disciplinary measures.

Source: Kenyans.co.ke

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

In Kenya, the government has launched a nationwide crackdown targeting public service HR officers accused of manipulating payroll systems, promotion records, and tax deductions, Kenyans.co.ke reports. 

The operation, spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service, was due to begin this week. It aims to dismantle networks of officers accused of siphoning millions of shillings from government coffers. 

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced the crackdown during a public address in Embu. He reportedly warned that those found culpable would face immediate dismissal and prosecution.  

Mr Ruku stated that a recent audit of human resource systems in both national and county governments had uncovered deep-rooted issues and collusion among HR officials.

“We have a serious challenge with HR directors at both levels of government. Beginning tomorrow, we will issue instructions to the EACC because the audit report is not good. It has exposed massive manipulation of payroll systems by HR officers,'' he said. 

According to Mr Ruku, the audit unearthed cases where HR officials had altered job groups for select employees up to three times in a single year. The practice unlawfully inflated salaries and allowances. 

Some officers were found to have created ghost workers, letting them divert salaries to fictitious accounts. 

Mr Ruku added that several civil servants were receiving double salaries from different government departments, while others were granted unjustified salary arrears and tax exemptions. 

He said, ''We have seen shocking cases where employees who do not qualify for exemptions are enjoying them. This must stop immediately." 

He explained that the manipulation extended to the promotion system - where unqualified staff were irregularly upgraded, disadvantaging deserving officers and causing distortions in the civil service structure - and warned that the ministry would be carrying out surprise audits to identify those involved. 

''We cannot have a situation where officers are enriching themselves through deceit and manipulating systems meant to serve the public. Anyone found culpable will be interdicted and handed over to investigative agencies,'' Mr Ruku said. 

The Cabinet Secretary added that the ministry is working closely with the EACC to ensure that implicated officers face legal action. The Public Service Commission is reportedly set to undertake administrative disciplinary measures.

Source: Kenyans.co.ke

(Link and quotes via original reporting)