NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has extended the payroll processing deadline for all public service entities from the 15th to the 18th of every month in a bid to enhance efficiency and ensure timely remittance of statutory deductions.
In a circular issued by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, all ministries, departments, agencies, county governments, state corporations, and constitutional commissions were directed to comply immediately.
Koskei warned that payrolls submitted after the new deadline would be blocked in the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) and the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS).
“The revised schedule will facilitate the timely submission of exchequer requisitions to the National Treasury by the 20th of every month and ensure that all statutory deductions remain up to date,” the circular stated.
The government said the adjustment will guarantee uninterrupted remittances for Pay As You Earn (PAYE), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), pensions, and contributions to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Koskei further cautioned directors of human resource management that they would be held personally accountable for delays in payroll processing.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, while backing the new measures, said they are part of preparations for the rollout of a unified national payroll system across ministries, agencies, and counties to eliminate ghost workers and duplicate payrolls.
“It will cure the problem of ghost workers in our system. It will also eliminate multiple payrolls and end the illegal practice of withholding part of employees’ salaries under the guise of statutory deductions or Sacco contributions. This amounts to borrowing from employees without consent,” Mbadi said.
He accused county governments of being the worst offenders in operating parallel payrolls and warned that excuses for non-compliance would not be entertained.
The directive has been copied to Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo and Public Service Principal Secretary Jane Imbunya, alongside all accounting officers and constitutional offices, for immediate enforcement.
