Koskei voices concern over graft, drug abuse

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei (left) is feted by Institute of Human Resource Management chairman Phillip Odera during their annual retreat in Naivasha. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

Rampant cases of corruption in the public service have heavily impacted the country's economic growth and development, the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has said.

While vowing that the government would ruthlessly deal with the vices, Mr Koskei called on professional bodies to join in the war against graft.

This came as it emerged that substance abuse and issues of mental health in the State agencies were on the rise - affecting productivity.

Koskei spoke in Naivasha on Tuesday during the 27th Annual National Human Resource Management conference organised by the Institute of Human Resources.

Koskei admitted that graft was rife in the Public Service but was quick to add that the government was up to the task.

He noted that this was affecting development plans and the government agenda as some officers sought kickbacks by working with unscrupulous traders. "We are keen to fight graft in the Public Service and return to normalcy as this has disorganised economic growth," he said.

Koskei challenged the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) to scrutinise employees well before hiring them.

"Some of the workers involved in the graft were hired in unclear circumstances and we are asking entities like IHRM to work with us in this fight against graft," he said.

He said drug and illicit brew abuse was also rife in the State agencies, adding that this was affecting productivity. IHRM National Chairman Phillip Odera noted that they were keen to work with the State to reduce the cost of living.

"Many of the challenges the country is facing are a result of climate change but we are targeting sectors like leather so as to increase job opportunities in the country," he said.

Public Service Principal Secretary Amos Gathecha decried the low number of HR practitioners and challenged IHRM to address it. "We are keen to increase the registered number of HR practitioners from 17,000 to 30, 000," he said.