By OLIVER MUSEMBI
Human resource managers have been challenged to uphold integrity and help fight corruption, particularly in recruitment and employment processes.
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairman David Oginde says ghost workers remain a concern in public institutions, urging HR professionals to take the lead in identifying and closing loopholes that facilitate the fraud.
“At EACC, we are concerned that there are many ghost workers in the public sector, in schools, in colleges, in government departments, and it requires great diligence and commitment on the side of HR professionals in that area to ensure these loopholes are not taken advantage of by persons who do not have integrity and want to reap where they have not sown,” Oginde said.
He also expressed concern over the use of fake certificates by job seekers to secure employment, saying the practice raises questions about the role of human resource professionals in verifying applicants’ credentials.
“Similarly, we also have the issue of fake certificates where people come into employment with documentation that is not genuine. Again, these people are also processed by the HR professionals,” he added.
Oginde spoke during a graduation ceremony for more than 800 trainees at the College of Human Resource Management (CHRM) in Nairobi, where he said integrity and commitment were essential in addressing the challenges.
With the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), Oginde cautioned that the technology posed a threat to some jobs but said professionals who uphold integrity and demonstrate strong character would remain relevant.
“Those who are going to stay on board are men and women who have chosen integrity and character as their way of doing business because that’s a virtue that can only be delivered by humans and not technology, AI included,” the EACC chairman said.
also called for the responsible use of AI, warning students against relying on the technology to complete all their academic work, including examinations.
“The issue of AI is here with us and it is something we cannot ignore. The question is how are we using it at the workplace and in college. Are we using it responsibly?” she posed.
