Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku was on Thursday shocked after witnessing poor service delivery at government offices in Garissa, the North Eastern regional headquarters.
The CS, who travelled to the town overnight, arrived at the regional offices only to be received by empty chairs and locked offices.
The building block that houses various government offices had only one officer present when CS Ruku’s motorcade drove in.
“I am very disappointed this morning. I am at the offices that coordinate all services for this region, but nothing is going on. All government offices that are supposed to open by 7.30am remain closed,” he said.
According to CS Ruku, the Human Resource Manual of 2016 stipulates that all government offices in North Eastern open at 7.30am and close for lunch for two hours before resuming at 2.30pm and closing for the day at 4.30pm. The two-hour lunch break is meant to allow Muslims time for prayers.
North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno, who was absent at the time, is said to have been in Wajir overseeing preparations for the Madaraka Day celebrations slated for June 1, 2026.
The CS said there was no reason for civil servants to fail in service delivery after receiving a salary increment.
“All civil servants should be serious about their work. Your salaries were increased in January this year and backdated to July 1, 2025. The basic salary was increased, the commuter allowances were increased and the housing allowances were increased, too,” he said.
He added: “The government is committed to increasing salaries for all public servants this year as per the agreements signed between the Union of Civil Servants and the government, and there is no reason we should not be committed to serving the people.”
CS Ruku’s visit revealed laxity in government offices by civil servants, exposing members of the public to delays in accessing government documents and services.
“We have members of the public who arrived here to be served, but as we speak at 9.30am, the offices remain closed because the officers meant to serve these people are yet to arrive,” he said.
“I came here this morning to get clearance from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), but the office is closed. I am happy the CS has witnessed what we go through in these offices. Civil servants are just never there but are quick to harass you out there,” said Mr Ali Aden, a resident.
CS Ruku vowed to initiate disciplinary action against civil servants who fail to arrive at their workplaces on time and those failing to fully discharge their duties.
“When you come to your place of work late, you are failing this government and President William Ruto. You are failing the people of Kenya. We are going to take stern action moving forward,” the seemingly agitated CS said.
He said all human resource managers in charge of the region would be activated to deal with the situation.
“We are going to have a talk with you because this seems to be something that has been happening for a long time. Kenyans deserve to be served. We need excellent customer service,” he said.
The CS decried that civil servants across the country were violating Article 232 of the Constitution on the principles and values of public service.
CS Ruku has been carrying out unexpected tours of government offices across the country, where he said he has witnessed similar scenarios.
On January 29, 2026, hundreds of employees in Kisumu were locked out of their workstations for reporting late when the CS made an impromptu tour of the regional offices.
