The government has launched investigations into hundreds of civil servants accused of falsifying personal records and credentials to remain in government employment.

The Ministry of Public Service said the move follows an audit that exposed a cartel within public offices facilitating the backdating of birth dates, fake promotions and double payments that have cost taxpayers billions of shillings.

According to the Ministry, some officers who reached retirement age years ago are still working in government, while others have been exempted from paying taxes or are drawing double allowances. The revelations emerged during the 29th Annual National Human Resource Management (HRM) Conference organised by the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) at Sawela Lodge in Naivasha.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the audit conducted across all ministries, departments, agencies and counties had uncovered widespread malpractice.

“An audit across all government agencies established that hundreds of workers were using falsified academic documents to secure promotions,” he said.

The CS added that senior officials were colluding with junior staff to manipulate official records.

“We have reports that other workers are earning double allowances and others have been exempted from taxes, and this is costing the government billions of shillings,” he said.

Ruku said the Ministry is working with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate all cases, adding that those found culpable would face dismissal and prosecution.

“We have introduced an App that captures all work situations in government agencies, and this will come in handy in addressing the current mess,” he said.

The CS warned HR officers across the National and County Governments to strictly follow recruitment and payment procedures, noting that failure to do so fuels corruption and nepotism.

“Deviations from approved systems undermine professionalism and create opportunities for corruption and nepotism. HR officers must serve as custodians of integrity and accountability,” Ruku said.

Ruku cautioned against irregular salary payments and unauthorised appointments that inflate the wage bill and derail development projects. He also warned that those involved in the commercialisation of job recruitment would face severe penalties.

“The audit uncovered systemic collusion between some HR officers and job seekers involving the sale of employment opportunities and falsification of academic credentials. This behaviour undermines service delivery, erodes public trust, and costs our economy billions,” he said.

The CS declared that any HR practitioner found guilty would face deregistration, prosecution, and a permanent ban from the profession.

“Let me be clear, the era of impunity is over. We are working with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) to ensure those who have commercialised recruitment are punished,” he said.

Ruku also put counties and government agencies on notice over failure to implement the Unified Human Resources Information System, meant to curb wastage in government.

“We have partnered with the Institute of Human Resource Management to work with us in addressing challenges in the government as one way of improving service delivery,” he said.