Garissa: Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has criticized government officers in Garissa after finding several public offices closed during an impromptu morning visit to the Northeastern regional headquarters. Ruku expressed disappointment after discovering that only police officers and one staff member in the Regional Commissioner’s office had reported to work on time, leaving members of the public waiting outside for services.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CS stated that public servants across the country must remain committed to serving Kenyans efficiently and adhere to official reporting times. He noted that according to the Human Resource Procedures Manual of 2016, all government offices are expected to open by 7.30 a.m., but many officers had failed to report to work on time.
‘As the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, I am very disappointed this morning. I am at the regional offices coordinating the entire Northeastern region of the Republic of Kenya in Garissa and all the government offices that are supposed to be opened at 7.30 a.m. were closed,’ said Ruku.
The CS observed that the trend of delayed reporting to work had been witnessed in several regions he had recently visited, with Huduma Centres being the only public service outlets consistently operating on time. Ruku reminded civil servants that the government had demonstrated commitment to improving their welfare through salary increments and improved allowances, and therefore expected the same dedication from workers in serving wananchi.
He said the government increased salaries for civil servants earlier this year and backdated the increments to July last year. The review included increases in basic salary, commuter allowance, and housing allowance. According to the CS, another salary increment for civil servants is expected to take effect from July 1, 2026, following a collective bargaining agreement between the government and unions representing civil servants.
‘I call upon all public servants in the Republic of Kenya to reciprocate the commitment shown by the government of President William Ruto. The government ensured that salaries were increased in January and backdated to July last year. Another increase is expected from July this year,’ he said.
Ruku warned that disciplinary action would be taken against officers who continue neglecting their duties and failing to report to work on time. He said regional human resource managers would be required to take appropriate measures against officers found violating public service regulations.
‘It cannot be that only one person has reported to work while Kenyans are outside waiting to be served. They may have different reasons for not reporting to work, but wananchi deserve better services,’ he stated. The CS emphasized that public servants have a duty to provide quality customer service because taxpayers finance government operations and salaries.
‘Kenyans deserve excellent customer service because they pay for those services through taxes. Through their taxes, we are able to earn salaries and run government offices and programmes,’ he added.
