President Uhuru Kenyatta made true his threat and sent all heads of procurement and accounting departments home on a 30-day compulsory leave on Tuesday.

During his Madaraka day speech, President Kenyatta said the procurement officers will be required to undergo a fresh vetting process including a polygraph test to establish if they are lying, in his renewed war on graft.

In a circular issued by the head of public service to the entire public service, the civil servants in both the government ministries and state parastatals have been asked to step aside with immediate effect.

“In this regard, Heads of Procurement and Accounting Units in Ministries, Departments, Agencies and State Corporations have been instructed to step aside with immediate effect,” a statement issued by Mwenda Njoka on behalf of the government spokesperson reads in part.

“Before they vacate the office, they have also been instructed to hand over to their immediate deputies,” the statement reads.

The officers will be required to submit personal information to the office of the head of public service by Friday 8^th June.

The information sought includes their assets, liabilities and previous record of service. The government said whereas the exercise is geared towards determining suitability to continue holding public office in the public trust, and promote confidence in the public service, it will be undertaken in a fair and objective manner, exercised with due care and regard to officer’s rights as enshrined in the constitution.

“The president is committed to creating a public service that serves the needs and aspirations of Kenyans without taking undue advantage to enrich or otherwise benefit themselves,” the statement reads.