Government shifts payroll deadline to allow timely remittance of statutory deductions

Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei/FILE

The government has revised the payroll processing and closure date for all public service entities, extending the deadline to the 18th of every month.

Previously, government entities were required to finalise payrolls by the 15th.

In a circular issued by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, County Governments, State Corporations, and Constitutional Commissions have been directed to strictly comply with the new schedule, effective immediately.

According to Koskei, the change is designed to improve efficiency in payroll management and guarantee the timely remittance of statutory deductions such as PAYE, NSSF, HELB, NITA, pensions, and contributions to the Social Health Authority (SHA).

“The revised schedule will facilitate timely submission of exchequer requisitions to the National Treasury by the 20th of every month and ensure that all statutory deductions remain up to date,” the circular reads.

Koskei emphasised that the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) and the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) will be reconfigured to block late submissions.

This, as he warned that late submissions will not be processed.

"You are therefore required to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all relevant officers and to ensure its full and immediate implementation," it adds.

Directors of Human Resource Management have been put on notice, with the circular making it clear they will be held personally responsible for any delays.

The government says the move will guarantee uninterrupted access to healthcare services, pension benefits, and other financial obligations owed to public officers.

The directive has been circulated to all Principal Secretaries, Accounting Officers, state corporations, county governments, and other constitutional offices for immediate implementation.

It has also been copied to Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo and her Public Service and Human Resource Capital Development counterpart Jane Imbunya.