Why have 84 HR officers been removed from payroll access?

They have been removed from payroll access and ordered on leave due to suspected irregularities in the public service payroll, prompting an investigation.

What is the purpose of the mandatory leave for the affected officers?

The mandatory leave is an administrative measure to allow for forensic investigations into suspected payroll irregularities without interference.

Public Service CS Revokes Payroll Access for 84 HR Officers Amid Irregularity Probe

Cabinet Secretary Ruku GK suspends 84 human resources officers from payroll duties and orders mandatory leave as investigations into suspected public payroll irregularities commence.

2026-10-16 · Updated 2026-10-16

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Ruku GK has revoked payroll system access for 84 human resources officers and ordered them to take a mandatory 30-day leave. This action follows preliminary investigations into suspected irregularities within the public service payroll.

The directive comes after investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reportedly uncovered suspicious transactions. These transactions were identified in the payroll systems of the Ministry of Health, Kenya Police Service, and Kenya Prisons Service.

CS Ruku stated that these administrative measures are intended to facilitate further forensic investigations into the flagged transactions. The investigations aim to determine if public funds have been lost.

The Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes will deploy new human resources officers to manage payroll operations in the affected institutions. This ensures continuity while the investigation proceeds.

Ruku stressed the constitutional obligation of public officers to manage public resources prudently and be accountable for any actions or omissions leading to the loss of public money. Further action will be taken against officers found culpable after the investigations conclude.

The affected officers' removal from payroll duties and mandatory leave are administrative steps and do not inherently establish criminal liability. The ongoing investigations seek to ascertain the nature and extent of the suspected irregularities and assign individual responsibility.

FAQ

Why have 84 HR officers been removed from payroll access?: They have been removed from payroll access and ordered on leave due to suspected irregularities in the public service payroll, prompting an investigation.
What is the purpose of the mandatory leave for the affected officers?: The mandatory leave is an administrative measure to allow for forensic investigations into suspected payroll irregularities without interference.