CS Ruku orders 84 HR officers to step aside over suspected Ksh.6.2B payroll fraud

Ruku announced the measures during a press briefing at Harambee House on Friday, saying the officers had been implicated in suspected irregularities identified in a government payroll audit and a subsequent DCI report dated October 7, 2026.

The officers have already lost access to the government payroll system as the government moves to prevent further suspected manipulation and protect public funds while investigations continue.

Ruku directed principal secretaries and accounting officers in the affected state departments to ensure the officers proceed on leave and that all administrative action is taken in accordance with the law.

“These findings demand immediate action,” Ruku said, directing the relevant officials to withdraw payroll system privileges and ensure the 84 officers step aside for the 30-working-day period.

The CS said the government would deploy replacement human resource managers to the affected departments and grant them the necessary access to the payroll system to ensure salaries continue to be processed without disruption.

He added that disciplinary measures against the officers would be guided by available evidence and the relevant legal provisions.

Ruku also indicated that arrests could be made before the 30-working-day period expires, particularly among officials in the Kenya Prisons Service, as investigations progress.

The probe follows a Cabinet directive to the DCI to investigate alleged manipulation of the public service payroll after an audit by the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes raised concerns over suspected losses of Ksh.6.2 billion.

The government vowed to take legal action against any officials found culpable, with Ruku previously stating that the administration was committed to protecting public resources and strengthening accountability in the public service.