PSC Chairperson Francis Meja has urged state agencies to follow disciplinary rules.
Francis Meja urges state agencies to follow disciplinary rules, warning that flawed decisions could expose institutions to financial losses.
Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairperson Francis Meja has warned state agency CEOs against mishandling disciplinary cases involving civil servants. He said responsible officers could face personal liability, while institutions risk financial losses from flawed decisions.
Meja spoke on Monday at the opening of a capacity-building workshop at the Kenya School of Government in Mombasa. The meeting brought together leaders from state corporations and public universities.
PSC flags rising appeals over disciplinary cases
Meja expressed concern about the growing number of disciplinary appeals reaching the Commission. He attributed the increase to failures to follow laws, policies and guidelines governing human resource management.
He urged technical officers, boards and councils to exercise care when handling disciplinary matters. Such diligence, he said, would reduce appeals and court disputes, benefiting both the government and individual officers.
However, institutions could incur avoidable costs when appeals or successful court challenges overturn their decisions. Officers responsible for those decisions could also bear personal liability, Meja warned.
Beyond the financial risks, he said unfair disciplinary processes weaken employee trust and lower staff morale. They also affect the quality of services that public institutions deliver to Kenyans.
The workshop focused on human resource issues arising from disciplinary control. Participants included state corporation chairpersons and CEOs, alongside public university council members and vice chancellors.
Ruku warns absent public servants
Separately, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku threatened disciplinary action after an impromptu visit to government offices in Kajiado. He said reports of laxity prompted the inspection, during which he found most employees absent.
Ruku said government interns accounted for nearly 90 per cent of those present. He also criticised human resource managers for failing to attend work and supervise employees.
The CS pledged immediate action against officers under his ministry to ensure offices operated properly. Similar concerns, he said, had emerged during visits to Nakuru, Kisumu, Mombasa and Nyeri.
Ruku also reminded public servants that the Christmas holiday period had not begun. He urged employees to remain at their workstations until they had authorisation to take leave.
