Several government staff at the Rift Valley regional headquarters were on Monday morning locked out after Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku made an unannounced visit to assess staff punctuality and discipline.

Ruku arrived at 8am and immediately directed security officers to shut the main gate before proceeding to inspect various offices within the premises. Many offices remained closed, while those that were open had few staff present.

“I came here at 8am and instructed those gates to be closed. I have been to most of these offices, and they are empty, and it is almost like that in all headquarters across the country,” he said.

The CS criticised the lack of commitment from civil servants, saying public servants play a key role in helping the government deliver on its promises.

“We are supposed to be in our offices at the right time and we must have the right attitude. If we get it wrong even the services we offer to the people will be wrong. The people of Kenya are demanding a lot from the government, beginning with the President to you civil servants.

“How do you want the president to fulfil the promises he made to the people of Kenya if you are not discharging your duties. The President cannot come and sit in all these offices. He depends on you to ensure services are offered timely and efficiently, but with this kind of attitude, we may not help the government of Kenya,” Ruku said.

He stressed the need to cultivate the right work ethic across government offices and acknowledged that while challenges in public service exist, including training and motivation, steps are being taken to address them.

Ruku added that a new policy proposal meant to drive reforms in the public service is in the pipeline and will soon be discussed in Cabinet.

“Bearing in mind all these challenges, we have a job to do and we have to be committed. We have to familiarise ourselves with Article 232 of our constitution that talks about the values and principles of public service, including high standards of professional ethics and efficient, effective and economic use of resources.”

Ruku commended officials from the Teachers Service Commission, the Regional Coordinator of Probation, the Immigration office, and the Regional Surveyor’s office for reporting to duty on time.

In several other departments, only interns and attachment staff were found to have arrived early.