CS Geoffrey Ruku makes impromptu visit to Rift Valley Regional Offices, locks out hundreds of staff

Hundreds of public servants at the Rift Valley Regional Offices in Nakuru were on Monday locked out of their workplaces after Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku arrived at 8:00am and ordered the gates shut, citing poor work ethic and late reporting.

Ruku, who was in Nakuru for an impromptu inspection of service delivery in national government offices, expressed disappointment that most offices were empty and unattended, despite queues of citizens seeking services.

“I came here at 8:00am and instructed those gates to be closed. I have been to most of these offices, and they are empty, and it is almost like that in all headquarters across the country,” Ruku said during the visit.

He noted that more than three-quarters of public servants had failed to report to work by the official opening time.

“Such work attitude cannot be tolerated in the public service. We’re directing all Human Resource Officers and supervisors in all government offices to ensure all public servants adhere to the operational and management performance guidelines,” he said.

The CS warned that those unwilling to meet constitutional expectations should leave office.

“Any public servant unwilling to comply with the Principles and Values of Public Service as established by our Constitution and auxiliary laws should leave office and focus on other things. Public Service is not a side hustle for public officers but a commitment to serve Kenyans with utmost dedication, integrity, and respect for duty,” he said.



Ruku added that public servants must understand that they are instrumental in delivering on the government’s promises to the people.

“How do you want the president to fulfil the promises he made to the people of Kenya if you are not discharging your duties? The President cannot come and sit in all these offices. He depends on you to ensure services are offered timely and efficiently, but with this kind of attitude, we may not help the government of Kenya,” he said.

He stressed the need for a change in attitude among civil servants, acknowledging ongoing challenges such as training gaps and low motivation, but said reforms are underway.

“We have a job to do, and we have to be committed. We have to familiarise ourselves with Article 232 of our constitution that talks about the values and principles of public service, including high standards of professional ethics and efficient, effective and economic use of resources,” he said.

Ruku disclosed that a policy proposal aimed at transforming the public service is in the pipeline and will soon be presented to Cabinet for approval.

Despite his frustration, the CS hailed a few offices for punctuality, including the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Immigration Department, the Regional Coordinator of Probation, and the Regional Surveyor. In some offices, only interns and attachment staff had reported on time.

The visit comes just a day after Ruku reiterated the government’s commitment to decentralising services, including establishing additional Huduma Centres countrywide to improve accessibility and efficiency.

“As leaders, we must focus on service delivery. The time for politics will come in 2027, but for now, we must work,” he said on Sunday.

Ruku assured staff that issues raised by public servants, including pending promotions, are being addressed.