In unprecedented move, Public Service and Human Capital Development Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku locked out civil servants who arrived late for a meeting on Monday. The move, unseen before in Kenya’s public service that has carved a reputation for lethargy and systemic corruption, was intended to shake up age-old procrastination in public services delivery.

As dozens of civil servants were locked out of office in the coastal town of Mombasa, minister held meetings with those who kept time. He warned inept public servants to choose between public service and private business. He said their laxity hampers service delivery to citizens.

Kenyan civil servants of all cadres have a reputation of signing in at work in the morning, then disappear for the rest of the day to conduct private business.

In a surprise early-morning visit before 8am, Ruku arrived in an unmarked car at the Uhuru na Kazi Building, Mombasa, where several national government, regional and county offices are hosted. He was on a mission to check on how government employees observed punctuality.

Dressed casually, Ruku unnoticeably moved from floor to another of the nine-storey building to assess work performance among public servants at the facility, who were caught unawares.

Consequently, unlucky civil servants, who arrived after 8 o’clock were locked out at the main gate as the cabinet secretary conducted an extensive tour of the building accompanied by County Commissioner Mohamed Noor, Ganze MP Kenneth Tungule and his Kaloleni counterpart Peter Katana.

Ruku announced that the government was finalising a set of reforms to transform the country’s public service in line with a new working culture that places a premium on responsibility and efficiency.

“We have to continue enforcing the working culture across offices in all corners of the republic,” the cabinet secretary said, vowing to ensure public servants countrywide remain responsible at all times.

He warned lax and irresponsible public servants that disciplinary measures would be instituted against them, as per the Human Resource Manual and Policy Guidelines.

“We are under very strict instructions from the president that we must have a working and responsive civil service, so that we are able to create an enabling environment for local investors and also international investors,” cabinet secretary said.

Ruku further emphasised that the government is keen to ensure a working and service culture to ensure enhanced service delivery to Kenyans. The cabinet secretary told public servants to emulate President William Ruto and his Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who are committed to serving Kenyans.

“We are calling upon all the public servants; let’s be committed, let’s do as per Article 232 of our constitution say. Let’s ensure we provide efficient, cost-effective services, timely services and ensure persons with disability access government services.

“We are the image of the government. If we don’t work efficiently, we will bring the government down. We must work hard,” Ruku warned.

Ganze MP, Tungule, said the team was dismayed that during their visit, it was only junior employees who had arrived on time. He told senior government workers to report to work on time as provided for in their terms of service that place emphasis on a productive work culture.

“I support the CS. The culture of public servants reporting late to work must come to an end. Citizens want service, and service will not be given by anyone else but government employees,” he said.

His Kaloleni counterpart, Katana, lauded the immigration and security department workers for reporting on time. He appealed to the cabinet secretary to transform the public service to be responsive to the needs of the citizens. Mombasa county commissioner said he was in a virtual meeting when the cabinet secretary came calling.

Noor promised that the county administration will now have a register to ensure civil servants in the region report on time.

“We will ensure all government directives are implemented to the letter. We will also forward names of latecomers for necessary action,” he pledged.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Sadik Hassan