Ruku blasts civil servants over lateness

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has slammed senior government employees for chronic lateness, contrasting their behaviour with that of intern and attachment students, whom he praised for their punctuality and commitment to work.

Speaking during an unannounced inspection at the Central Regional Headquarters in Nyeri on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Ruku expressed concern over widespread absenteeism and late reporting among civil servants across various ministries.

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“Whether in the Ministry of Health, Lands, or any parastatal, if you’re drawing a salary from taxpayers, you must be in the office on time,” he said. “Interns are always in by 8:00 am, while many senior officers stroll in late or fail to show up entirely.”

The CS noted that in several counties, including Mombasa, Nakuru, and Nyeri, interns and attachment students consistently arrive at work before 8:00 am, unlike their senior counterparts, whom he accused of having a false sense of entitlement.

“In Nyeri, for example, only staff at TSC and the Huduma Centre reported in full by 8:00 am. Other departments had less than half their teams present,” he observed.

Ruku warned that continued absenteeism without valid justification would result in such staff being listed as ghost workers.

“All absentees and latecomers will be treated as ghost workers. Public servants must embrace a results-driven culture that reflects the values of discipline and professionalism,” he stated.

According to the Human Resource Manual for Public Service, civil servants are required to report to work at 8:00 a.m. and clock 40 working hours weekly.

In some regions, like Mombasa and parts of Northern Kenya, official working hours begin at 7:30 a.m.

This is not the first time CS Ruku has taken a tough stance on poor work ethic. In June, he ordered gates at the Nakuru regional headquarters to be shut at 8:00 a.m., locking out latecomers as part of efforts to enforce discipline in the civil service.