The government has announced changes to the payroll processing schedule for all public service entities, extending the payroll closure deadline from the 15th to the 18th of every month.
Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, issued the directive in a circular addressed to Principal Secretaries, Accounting Officers, County Governments, State Corporations, and Constitutional Commissions. The new measure, which takes immediate effect, is aimed at improving efficiency in payroll management and ensuring that statutory deductions are processed and remitted in good time.
Koskei explained that the extension will allow ministries, departments, and agencies to make timely submissions of exchequer requests to the National Treasury by the 20th of every month. This, he said, will ensure compliance with key statutory obligations including Pay As You Earn (PAYE), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), pensions, and contributions to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“The revised schedule will help with the timely submission of exchequer requests to the National Treasury by the 20th of every month and ensure that all statutory deductions remain up to date,” read the circular.
Koskei further noted that both the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) and the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) will be reconfigured to block late payroll submissions. Any payrolls submitted after the 18th will not be processed.
In addition, Human Resource Directors will be held personally responsible for any delays, with Koskei warning that failure to comply could disrupt the processing of salaries and statutory remittances.
The government emphasized that the adjustment is intended to safeguard public officers’ access to healthcare services, pension benefits, and other financial obligations. By ensuring that deductions are processed on time, the new system seeks to minimize disruptions that may affect employees’ welfare.
“You are therefore required to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all relevant officers and to ensure its full and immediate implementation,” Koskei instructed.
The directive underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening payroll management across the public service sector while reinforcing accountability among HR officials.
