Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has emphasized the urgent need for a transformative integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain into human resource (HR) management. Speaking at the 11th Annual National Human Resource Congress in Mombasa, CS Ruku underscored that the future of HR lies in leveraging technology to enhance talent development, organizational culture, and performance management.
“The HR profession is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by global disruptions, evolving workforce expectations, and rapid technological change,” said CS Ruku. He stressed that HR must evolve from a traditional support role into a strategic enabler of institutional performance, highlighting the shift from manual, process-driven systems to experience-driven and predictive models powered by AI.
The congress, themed “Reimagining HR: Navigating Strategy, People & Technology,” gathered HR professionals, policymakers, CEOs, and stakeholders from both public and private sectors to deliberate on the future of HR practices. CS Ruku urged HR professionals to embrace data analytics, AI-powered tools, and automation to improve recruitment, talent retention, workforce planning, and performance tracking. He noted, “Automation will help both government and private organizations reduce inefficiencies, enhance decision-making, and better predict employee turnover.”
Beyond technology, CS Ruku called for a national conversation on youth empowerment through meaningful internship opportunities. He invited the private sector to partner with government in making internships more accessible and impactful, emphasizing shared responsibility in talent development.
He also championed embedding diversity, equity, and inclusivity within HR systems, advocating for people-centric strategies that focus on personalized learning, career growth, and employee well-being.
CS Ruku commended the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) for its leadership in steering Kenya’s HR evolution. He challenged attendees to lead the reimagining of HR as a critical driver of Kenya’s socio-economic transformation, urging all stakeholders to adopt innovative approaches that empower talent and fuel sustainable growth.
