MOMBASA — Kenya’s Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has urged human resource professionals to embrace new technology and rethink the way talent is managed across the public and private sectors.
Speaking at the opening of the 11th Annual National Human Resource Congress in Mombasa on Wednesday, Mr Ruku called for what he described as a “radical shift” in the approach to human capital driven not by tradition, but by data, automation, and inclusion.
“The future of HR is experience-driven, not process-driven,” he told delegates. “It’s predictive, not reactive and it must be powered by artificial intelligence rather than manual systems.”
The three-day congress, hosted by the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM), brought together leaders from business, government, and civil society. The theme Reimagining HR: Navigating Strategy, People & Technology captured the urgency many feel as organizations across the globe face rapid workplace change.
Mr Ruku warned that Kenya’s HR systems risk falling behind unless they adapt to global shifts in workforce expectations, performance tracking, and career development. He pushed for greater use of analytics and digital tools to improve recruitment, employee retention, and succession planning.
“Automation will help both government and private organisations reduce inefficiencies, make better decisions, and predict trends like staff turnover,” he said.
But Mr Ruku didn’t stop at technology. He also made a strong pitch for youth inclusion, calling for better access to internships and mentorships. “Let’s come together for a national conversation on creating meaningful internship opportunities,” he said. “Youth empowerment is not a government issue alone it must be a shared responsibility.”
He invited private sector leaders to sit down with government officials and draw up plans to make internships more effective and widely available. “Kindly avail yourself for a roundtable discussion,” he said, “so that we can create something that truly works.”
The Cabinet Secretary also stressed the need to embed fairness into hiring and management. He encouraged HR professionals to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion especially in leadership roles.
“The workforce of the future needs people-centred policies,” he added. “We must put well-being, personalised learning, and development at the heart of our strategies.”
Mr Ruku applauded the IHRM for its role in leading dialogue around workplace reforms. But he also issued a challenge: for HR professionals to be bolder, faster, and more deliberate in transforming the way organisations think about people.
“HR can no longer be just a support function,” he said. “It must be at the very centre of how we drive performance, build institutions, and grow this country.”
