Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku conducted a surprise early-morning inspection at the Uhuru na Kazi building in Mombasa. Arriving before 8:00 am in an unmarked car, Ruku caught civil servants off-guard as he assessed punctuality and work ethics in the nine-storey building housing multiple government offices.
Dressed casually, the CS moved from floor to floor, monitoring employee attendance. Those who arrived late were temporarily locked out, sending a strong message against laxity. Accompanied by County Commissioner Mohamed Noor and MPs Kenneth Tungule (Ganze) and Peter Katana (Kaloleni), Ruku emphasized the government’s commitment to instilling a culture of responsibility and efficiency.
Reforms and Warnings
Ruku revealed that the government is finalizing reforms to transform public service operations, aligning them with President William Ruto’s vision of a responsive civil service. “We must create an enabling environment for investors by ensuring a disciplined workforce,” he stated, warning that disciplinary action would be taken against negligent employees under existing HR policies.
He urged public servants to emulate the dedication of the President and his deputy, emphasizing adherence to Article 232 of the Constitution, which mandates efficient, timely, and inclusive service delivery. “We are the image of the government. If we fail, the government fails,” Ruku declared.
Leaders Back Strict Measures
MP Tungule expressed disappointment that only junior staff were punctual, stressing the need for a culture change. “Citizens deserve efficient service, and only disciplined employees can deliver that,” he said. MP Katana praised the Immigration and Security departments for their timeliness but called for broader reforms to improve service responsiveness.
County Commissioner Noor pledged to enforce strict attendance registers and forward names of latecomers for action. “We will implement government directives to the letter,” he assured.
The surprise visit underscores the administration’s push to weed out inefficiency in the public sector, ensuring that civil servants uphold professionalism and accountability. As Ruku’s crackdown continues, the message is clear: punctuality and productivity are non-negotiable.
