The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has introduced a new Gifts and Benefits Policy requiring employees to declare gifts valued above K500 received in connection with their official duties.
The policy is aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability while reducing the risk of gifts being used as a channel for corruption.
Under the policy, gifts above K500 will be recorded in an official Gift Declaration Form and Gift Register, providing a documented record of gifts received by employees.
Permanent Secretary for Labour and Social Security, Zechariah Luhanga, says the policy is intended to remove ambiguity around gifts in the Public Service and help employees identify when a gift could amount to an attempt to improperly influence an officer.
Mr. Luhanga says public officers must never be placed in a position where a gift compromises their judgment or creates an expectation of preferential treatment.
He says the policy is not simply a restriction on receiving gifts, but a mechanism to protect public officers and uphold the integrity of the Ministry.
The Ministry has since commenced staff sensitisation on the policy and has urged members of the public not to use gifts to influence decisions, secure preferential treatment or obtain an improper advantage.
By Rachel Mumba
