Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced that public servants across the country will begin receiving enhanced salaries from August 1, 2026, following a government-approved pay review.
Speaking at Londiani Boys High School in Kericho County, Ruku said President William Ruto had directed the salary review as part of the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of public servants. He said the increment will apply to both basic salaries and key allowances.
“The Government is committed to ensuring that public servants are fairly remunerated while strengthening efficiency and accountability in public service,” Ruku said.
The Cabinet Secretary also directed all ministries, departments, agencies, county governments and state corporations to immediately migrate their payrolls to the Government Human Resource Information System (GHRIS), describing it as a secure and tamper-proof platform that will enhance transparency and accountability in payroll management.
Ruku warned that all government entities must onboard the GHRIS platform within the prescribed timelines, failure to which they risk the suspension of salary processing and payment of allowances.
He said the system is designed to ensure that only genuine public servants receive salaries and benefits while eliminating ghost workers and other payroll irregularities that have cost taxpayers millions of shillings.
“The GHRIS platform will safeguard the integrity of the government payroll by ensuring only duly verified public servants benefit from government remuneration,” he said.
Ruku noted that the government is keen on maintaining an accurate and credible database of all public servants to support quality service delivery, proper workforce planning and prudent management of public resources.
He also urged public servants to uphold the national values and principles of governance under Article 10 and the values and principles of public service under Article 232 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, saying professionalism, integrity, accountability and transparency remain central to effective service delivery.
The Cabinet Secretary recalled that the government implemented another salary review in January, with the increment backdated to July 2025, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of public servants.
The latest directive comes amid heightened efforts to clean up the public payroll following an internal audit by the Ministry, which uncovered widespread payroll tampering and other irregularities.
Following the audit findings, the Cabinet directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate those responsible, facilitate the recovery of any lost public funds and ensure all individuals found culpable are prosecuted.
Ruku said the implementation of the salary review alongside the mandatory adoption of GHRIS marks a significant step towards building a transparent, accountable and efficient public service while protecting public resources from fraud.
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