The government is rolling out a digital application to monitor civil servants’ productivity, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has announced.

Speaking during an unannounced early-morning inspection at the Eastern Region headquarters in Embu Town on Monday, Ruku said the mobile application will be launched by the end of October.

According to the CS, the system will track attendance, arrival and departure times, leave records, and other performance indicators in real time. He said the move is designed to boost efficiency, accountability, and transparency across government offices.

“We must raise our standards in order to serve the people better. Lateness and laxity will no longer be tolerated in government offices,” Ruku declared.

He described the app as a “game changer” in tackling absenteeism and monitoring productivity, noting that an efficient public service is critical to supporting the private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Most people in the private sector are already on their way to work. They understand that success requires hard work. Public servants must match that energy if we are serious about national transformation,” he added.

During the surprise visit, Ruku observed sharp contrasts in punctuality among departments. While Huduma Centre and Immigration officers had reported to work on time, the Lands office had only one staff member and a cleaner present by 8 a.m. “We cannot condone such negligence. Public officers must take responsibility,” he said firmly.

The CS reminded civil servants to strictly observe the Human Resource Procedures and Manual of 2016, which sets standards for professionalism, ethics, and performance. He warned that disciplinary action will be stepped up against those whose laxity undermines service delivery.

“We cannot demand respect from the citizens we serve if we are not disciplined ourselves,” Ruku stressed.

In addition, the CS urged Embu residents who had applied for passports at the regional office to collect them, noting that many remain unclaimed.

He issued the same call for citizens who are yet to pick up their national ID cards at the Embu Huduma Centre.

Ruku concluded by promising more surprise inspections across the country to ensure government services are delivered honestly, promptly, and effectively.

“This is not a one-off inspection. Kenyans deserve honest, timely, and efficient service from their government,” he said.