Ruku: Govt to track civil servants’ punctuality, performance using an App
By William Muthama, August 18, 2025Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, has announced that the government is finalising a digital application to monitor the productivity of all public servants in Kenya.
Speaking during a visit to Government Offices at the Eastern Regional Headquarters in Embu on Monday, August 18, 2025, Ruku said the app will be launched by the end of October.
It is designed to track key metrics, including arrival and departure times, leave status, and real-time attendance. According to Ruku, this digital oversight will ensure that public officers adhere to working hours and maintain high levels of performance.
“We must raise our standards in order to serve the people better. Lateness and laxity will no longer be tolerated in government offices,” Ruku said.
He added that the app will act as a “game changer” in monitoring work output and tackling absenteeism, allowing supervisors and management to respond promptly to inefficiencies.
Efficiency and accountability
The Cabinet Secretary noted that the platform will also strengthen transparency, allowing the public to have confidence in government service delivery.
He pointed out that inefficiencies in public offices often have a direct impact on the private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, where delays in government processes can affect business operations and economic growth.
“Most people in the private sector are already on their way to work. They understand that success requires hard work. Public servants must match that energy if we are serious about national transformation,” Ruku stated.
The new application will also complement existing performance management systems and will be integrated across various government ministries, departments, and agencies.
Ruku indicated that the system will be regularly updated and that officers failing to meet set standards will face disciplinary measures, while exemplary performance will be rewarded.
By introducing this digital monitoring platform, the government hopes to instill a culture of punctuality, diligence, and accountability among civil servants, ultimately improving the quality of public service delivery in Kenya and supporting the country’s broader economic and development goals.