The government has intensified efforts to curb payroll fraud and strengthen integrity in the public service, even as 1,130 new Human Resource professionals were officially certified during the 6th Certified Human Resource Professionals (CHRP) Ceremony held at the Nairobi Expo Dome, Jamhuri Park in Nairobi.
The event, presided over by the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, marked a major milestone in advancing professionalism and ethical standards within the human resource sector.
Ruku reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to building a public service anchored on meritocracy, integrity, and professionalism, saying these values are essential in eliminating corruption and ensuring efficient service delivery to Kenyans.
“The certification of these professionals is a clear demonstration of our dedication to building a competent and ethical workforce capable of steering Kenya’s socio-economic transformation,” Ruku said.
He underscored the pivotal role of HR officers in promoting transparency and accountability within government institutions, warning against rising cases of malpractice, particularly in payroll management.
He revealed that some HR officers have been colluding with public servants to alter job groups without proper approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC), a practice that has resulted in significant losses to the government.
“As a government, we are facing a serious challenge in human resource management, especially where many employees fail to report to work on time. We also have issues within the payroll system, where individuals are changing job groups without any official recommendation from the PSC,” he noted.
Ruku described such fraudulent activities as abuse of office and corruption, vowing that stern action will be taken against officers found engaging in unethical conduct.
He further challenged the newly certified HR professionals to be agents of change, upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism in their workplaces.
“You have now been certified as human resource professionals. Use your skills to better the public service. Be the agents of change who will help the government build a workforce driven by values and excellence,” he urged.
He assured HR practitioners that the government is committed to providing a conducive working environment and modernizing systems to enhance fairness and productivity. He said ongoing reforms, such as the automation of payroll systems and enhanced monitoring mechanisms, will help detect and prevent fraudulent activities while restoring public confidence in the civil service.
The CHRP certification program, administered by the Human Resource Management Professionals Examination Board (HRMPEB), continues to play a critical role in strengthening professional standards and building capacity across both the public and private sectors.
The ceremony brought together hundreds of HR professionals, government officials, and representatives from the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM), who pledged to support the government’s vision of a transparent, efficient, and accountable public service.
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