Felix Koskei Says No Buying Gifts For Govt Employees After Ruto Explained How Privet Jet Was Funded

• Felix Koskei emphasised halting excessive gift-giving by state corporations to curb the misuse of funds
• Public Officer Ethics Act guidelines require public officers to declare and surrender gifts exceeding KSh 20,000
• President Ruto’s recent US travel funding sparked debate on transparency and gift declaration

Muyela Roberto is a seasoned journalist at TUKO.co.ke, boasting over nine years of experience in the digital media landscape. He possesses extensive expertise in financial reporting and is adept at editing.

Nairobi: Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has warned against the issuance of gifts to government employees to foster transparent public service.

Speaking during the unveiling of guidelines on the management and terms of service for heads of state corporations in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 4, Koskei criticised some state corporations for allocating substantial capital to the acquisition of gifts during workshops and seminars despite the country’s dire financial state.

The public service chief insisted that state corporations’ expenditures must not exceed revenues collected, adding that MPs must pay close attention to the 2024–2025 budget to ensure it doesn’t provide avenues for tax misuse.

"No more giveaways like power banks, Maasai shukas, and diaries. You walk into a state corporation meeting and leave with nearly a tonne of freebies, all while we're still borrowing. So, as we leave here, spread the message that we are not going to allow an environment that will enable corruption," he said.

Public Officer Ethics Act

According to the Public Officer Ethics Act, gifts given to public officers in their official capacity are classified as gifts to the state. They should be declared and surrendered to the government. Such gifts include free passage, hospitality, and favours from any person who has an interest that may be affected by the officer’s official duties.

"A public officer may accept a gift given to him/her in his/her official capacity but, unless the gift is a non-monetary gift that does not exceed KSh 20,000 in value, the gift shall be surrendered," the act reads.

Koskei’s directive comes days after President William Ruto clarified how his travel to the US for the state visit was funded.

Ruto calms privet jet storm

In response to reports that the presidency chartered a VVIP plane for KSh 200 million, Ruto explained that he had initially sought a plane to fly to the US and found the cheapest option would cost KSh 70 million.

Subsequently, Ruto instructed his aides to book him a KQ flight, but shortly after, his “friends” offered to pay KSh 10 million and provided him with the private jet he used.

A section of observers claimed that the president needed to have declared the favour he received from his Emirati friends immediately after the offer was extended to him.

According to the president, the jet was more cost-effective and cheaper than using a Kenya Airways flight.