Nairobi: Kenyan authorities have charged 54 people, mainly civil servants, in an investigation into the theft of nearly $US100 million ($130 million) of public funds, a rare move to hold officials to account for corruption in a nation where it is widespread.

Among the civil servants and businesspeople charged was the head of the National Youth Service, senior accountants at the government agency, and the chief internal auditor at the National Treasury, chief prosecutor Noordin Mohamed Haji told a news conference.

President Uhuru Kenyatta's pledged to stamp out corruption when he was first elected in 2013, but critics say he has been slow to pursue top officials. No high profile convictions have occurred since he took office.

Haji said 20 of the individuals had been taken into custody. He called on the rest to hand themselves in and said the suspects would be charged in court on Tuesday with crimes including abuse of office.

The government ministry responsible for the National Youth Service and a spokesman for the treasury did not immediatley respond for requests for comment.