The government has directed all ministries, state departments, agencies and county governments to migrate to the new Human Resource Information System (HRIS) within one month or risk having their employees’ salaries withheld.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 8, during the handover of an independent payroll audit report to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku warned that the government will not process salaries for institutions that fail to comply with the directive.
HRIS Migration Now Mandatory
According to Ruku, the compulsory migration to HRIS is part of the government’s wider plan to enhance accountability, eliminate payroll fraud and improve oversight of public sector employees.
“We have issued a circular requiring all ministries, departments and county governments to be onboarded onto the HRIS within one month. Any institution that fails to comply within the stipulated period will not have its salaries processed,” Ruku said.
Ksh6.2 Billion Payroll Fraud Triggers Reforms
The directive follows a recent Cabinet meeting that approved the transition to HRIS after an independent payroll audit uncovered a staggering Ksh6.2 billion payroll fraud within the public service.
Following the audit findings, the Cabinet ordered the DCI to launch a comprehensive criminal investigation into the alleged fraud.
“As part of implementing the Cabinet’s directives, I am formally handing over the payroll audit report to DCI Director General Mohamed Amin to facilitate investigations into the criminal matters identified during the audit,” the CS stated.
Ruku said the move underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring all allegations of fraud, abuse of office and financial misconduct are investigated independently and in accordance with the law.
HRIS to Enhance Real-Time Payroll Monitoring
The Cabinet Secretary explained that the HRIS has the capacity to accommodate all government institutions, including county governments, while enabling real-time monitoring of payroll transactions.
“We are monitoring all activities on the system in real time. Any attempt to manipulate the payroll can be detected immediately,” he said.
He further revealed that the government plans to integrate HRIS with the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) to strengthen payroll controls, improve transparency and seal loopholes that facilitate fraud.
Continuous Payroll Audits Introduced
As part of the ongoing public service reforms, the Ministry of Public Service will institutionalise continuous payroll audits across all government institutions.
Ruku confirmed that payroll audit teams have already been established in every ministry and department, with similar teams set to be rolled out in county governments.
In addition, he called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to provide approved salary structures for all government agencies. He also urged the Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve human resource instruments for all public institutions within one month to support the successful implementation of the reforms.
