Ruto Orders Salary Refund, Seizure Of Assets Owned By 2,100 Public Officers With Fake Certificates

• President William Ruto's administration announced plans to reduce the public wage bill to 35% by 2028
• Speaking during the third National Wage Bill Conference 2024, Ruto said the target will be achieved if the government roots out workers with fake papers
• The head of state said the government has already identified 2,100 public servants with fake certificates, urging them to refund the salaries they were paid

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia brings over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Civil servants with fake academic papers have been ordered to surrender and refund the salaries and wages paid during the period of their employment.

President William Ruto directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to speed the recovery of public resources from such workers.

How many civil servants have fake academic papers?

Speaking on Wednesday, April 17, while officially closing the third National Wage Bill Conference 2024 held at Bomas, Nairobi, Ruto reiterated that the government identified 2,100 civil servants with fake papers.

"As I have said, the 2,100 identified people who have been earning government wages and salaries with fake certificates should just refund the money we paid them.

"Those who have fake certificates and are working for the government at any level surrender and walk away. It will not be business as usual as we go into the future," warned Ruto.

Ruto described it as an impunity of the highest level for any person to walk into a government office knowing that they have a fake certificate and get a job.

The head of state said the government invests heavily in education every year, urging Kenyans to go to school and earn genuine certificates.

Why is Ruto after government workers with fake certificates?

He also cited poor performance in public offices, attributing it to low qualifications.

"We spend KSh 650 billion every year on education. You should be able to take advantage of this and earn yourself a proper certificate

"Part of the challenges we have in the public service is that people who are working there do not have the qualifications they claim to have," he said.

He said that with determination and collaboration, the national wage bill ratio of 35% will be achieved even before 2027.

During the conference, Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) chairperson Lyn Mengich called on employers and employees to halt plans for salary increments and work on productivity.

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced a freeze on any salary review by public entities without approval.