CS Ruku: Interns, attachees are more punctual than government officers

Interns and attachment students are arriving at work on time in government offices, while many senior public servants are coming in late or failing to show up altogether.

This is according to Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who has vowed to crack down on lateness and absenteeism in the civil service.

Speaking during an early morning inspection at the Central Regional Headquarters in Nyeri on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, CS Ruku said the trend is worrying and must stop.

"Whether in the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Lands, or in any parastatal, so long as you are paid a salary from monies which the government collects from the people of Kenya, you must be accountable and be in the office at the required time," he said.

Ruku said that while young people on attachment or internship are always present and ready to work by 8:00 a.m., many permanent staff members are still not reporting on time.

"In Mombasa, in Nakuru, even here in Nyeri, the interns or those who are on attachment, most of them are in the office at the required time. But most of us, wale ambao wamebobea, those who feel they have already 'arrived' in government, are not in the office when they should be," he added.

CS Ruku warned that those who continue to report late or miss work without proper reasons will be treated as ghost workers.

"All absentees and latecomers in the public service will be treated as ghost workers," he said.

On his X account, Ruku shared, "There is a need to bring back the Public Service working culture under the prevailing conditions to enhance service delivery to Kenyans. Many Kenyans seeking government services arrive at public offices very early in the morning, only to find doors closed."

According to the Human Resource Manual for public service, government workers must report to work at 8:00 a.m. in most regions and work 40 hours a week.

In Mombasa and parts of Northern Kenya, official hours start at 7:30 a.m.

During his Nyeri visit, Ruku noted that only the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Huduma Centre had nearly all their staff in place by 8:00 a.m.

TSC had 100% and Huduma Centre 98%.

Other offices had less than half their staff present.

This was not the first time Ruku made an impromptu visit to a government office.

Three weeks ago, in Nakuru, he ordered the gates of the regional headquarters to be locked at 8:00 a.m., effectively barring latecomers.

"Punctuality is a basic requirement that must be followed across the civil service," he said.