“Late? You’re Locked Out”: CS Ruku Shocks Nakuru Civil Servants in Surprise Visit

NAKURU, Kenya — A surprise morning visit by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku on Monday turned into a rude awakening for dozens of civil servants who reported late to work.

By 8:00 a.m., Ruku had already arrived at the Rift Valley regional government offices in Nakuru. Instead of receiving him, many workers were still making their way in or hadn’t shown up at all. The CS responded by ordering the gates shut.

Employees who got to the offices after the hour found themselves locked out, watching as their punctual colleagues gathered inside the compound, some of them visibly stunned by the move.

Speaking to those who had arrived on time, Ruku didn’t mince words.

“We are here to serve the people of Kenya. That duty starts with discipline and timekeeping,” he said firmly.

The CS was in town for an unannounced inspection of public service delivery part of a broader government effort to improve standards in public offices nationwide.

This is not Ruku’s first tough stance on discipline in the civil service. On Sunday, during a separate engagement, he stressed that public servants must put service before politics.

“As leaders, we must focus on service delivery,” he said. “The time for politics will come in 2027, but for now, we must work.”

His Nakuru visit also comes as the government pushes to decentralise services through the expansion of Huduma Centres one-stop government service points to more counties.

Ruku also acknowledged that public servants face challenges, especially around delayed promotions and limited career growth. He said the ministry was actively working to address these concerns, aiming to create a fairer, more motivated workforce.

While some praised his firm approach, others felt the lockout was a little too harsh.

“I agree with timekeeping, but some of us were just a few minutes late,” said one staff member who declined to be named. “There should be some flexibility, especially when we’re dealing with public transport issues.”

Still, the message was loud and clear: punctuality is no longer optional in the public sector.

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