NAIROBI, Kenya – The Government has escalated its crackdown on payroll fraud after handing over the findings of a comprehensive public service payroll audit to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for investigations into suspected salary fraud and manipulation of government payroll systems.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku presented the payroll audit reports, forensic findings and supporting documents to the DCI on Wednesday, saying the move marks a new phase in efforts to safeguard public resources and eliminate payroll irregularities across government.
The handover follows a Cabinet directive issued after its June 30 meeting ordering that all cases arising from the payroll audit with possible criminal implications be referred to investigative agencies for appropriate action.
“The integrity of the government payroll is central to fiscal discipline, effective governance and public confidence in Government institutions,” Ruku said.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, an independent payroll audit and a forensic review conducted by a multi-agency team uncovered significant weaknesses in the management of the public service payroll, with suspected irregularities estimated to have cost taxpayers Sh6.2 billion.
Ruku said the Government would not shield anyone found to have manipulated payroll systems or facilitated fraudulent salary payments, adding that accountability would be pursued wherever evidence of wrongdoing exists.
He directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Constitutional Commissions, Independent Offices, County Governments and State Corporations to cooperate fully with investigators by providing all information required during the investigations.
The Cabinet Secretary also warned against any attempts to obstruct the investigations, saying those found culpable would face the full force of the law.
While assuring honest public servants that they had nothing to fear from the exercise, Ruku maintained that individuals implicated in payroll fraud would be held accountable through the legal process.
The Ministry of Public Service also announced a series of reforms aimed at preventing future payroll abuse, including the full optimisation of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS-Ke), integration of payroll systems with government financial management platforms, establishment of Payroll Audit Units across public institutions, continuous payroll verification and strengthened internal controls.
Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin assured Kenyans that detectives would conduct independent, impartial and professional investigations into all cases referred to the agency.
“We will leave no stone unturned in uncovering any wrongdoing. Anyone found culpable will be held accountable in accordance with the Constitution and the law,” Amin said.
The Government said the reforms and investigations are intended to strengthen accountability within the public service, curb payroll fraud, reduce the loss of public funds and restore confidence in the management of government resources.