The government has taken a major step in its efforts to eliminate payroll fraud and strengthen accountability in the public service after formally handing over the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) payroll audit and forensic reports to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The reports were presented at a ceremony held at Harambee House by the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, led by Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku alongside Principal Secretary Jane Kere Imbunya. They were received by DCI Director Mohammed Amin following a briefing on the audit process and its key findings.
The handover marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing payroll reform programme, which has been implemented over the past year under the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development. The initiative seeks to modernize payroll management, enhance governance, and address long-standing weaknesses identified through independent audits.
According to Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development Geoffrey Ruku, the reforms have included verification of public service payroll records, enhancement of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS-Ke), establishment of Payroll Audit Units across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the introduction of stronger oversight mechanisms to improve transparency and accountability.
Following the completion of the independent payroll audit and its consideration by Cabinet, the government resolved to adopt a coordinated whole-of-government approach to implement the audit’s recommendations and address irregularities identified during the review.
The submission of the forensic reports to the DCI is expected to pave the way for investigations into suspected payroll-related offences, including the identification of fraudulent payments, ghost workers, and other financial irregularities within the public service.
CS Ruku said the collaboration with the DCI underscores the Government’s commitment to protecting public resources, enhancing integrity in public administration, and ensuring that those found responsible for payroll malpractice are held accountable.
The handover ceremony brought together representatives from the Executive Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the Office of the Internal Auditor General under the National Treasury, and officials from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, highlighting a multi-agency commitment to implementing the audit findings and strengthening public sector financial management.
