A new Public Service Commission (PSC) report reveals that Kenya’s civil service has over 17,000 ghost workers receiving salaries. These non-existent employees appear in staff registers but are absent from actual government payrolls.
State House, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), and Kenya Railways are among the worst offenders. The report highlights that Kenya Railways had 1,261 ghost workers, while KBC had 231, and State House recorded 156. Government ministries had the highest discrepancy, with 12,329 extra workers.
PSC has directed affected agencies to explain the discrepancies. The government had introduced a unified human resource system last year to eliminate ghost workers, but irregular salary payments persist. Ministries and state corporations also face severe staff shortages, with Kenya Ports Authority, Kenyatta National Hospital, and Kenya Power among the hardest hit.
State agencies have until June 30 to migrate to the new payroll system, which is expected to improve transparency and efficiency.
