PSC report reveals over 19,000 ghost workers on government payroll

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has exposed a staggering 19,467 ghost workers on the government payroll during the 2022–2023 financial year.

The PSC's annual report has raised serious concerns that show how public funds are being drained, affecting the effective utilisation of resources.

The report indicates that various government agencies and departments harboured unauthorised employees, surpassing the approved staffing levels.

Those mentioned included State House and the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) Limited, which have an excess of over 100 members each, while 15 other organisations were identified as having more than 50 per cent more staff than recommended.

According to the PSC report, ministries and state departments accounted for the highest number of unauthorised staff at 12,535, followed by state corporations at 4,558, and public universities at 2,287.

Alarming staff levels

The alarming disparities in staffing levels were further exemplified by specific organisations, with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) leading the pack with a staggering 115 per cent excess staff.

Other notable organisations included the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority at 72 per cent, the State Department for Higher Education and Research at 69 per cent, the State Department for Devolution at 61 per cent and the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services at 59 per cent.

State House and the New KCC were singled out for having an excess of over 100 staff each compared to their registered staff numbers, standing at 483 and 492, respectively.

The repercussions of these irregularities are significant, leading to underutilization of staff, bloated wage bills, and strained workplace facilities.

The PSC has underscored the urgency of addressing these issues, emphasising that only 21 out of 523 organisations have developed comprehensive human resource management and development plans to guide recruitment and training.

In response to these findings, the PSC has recommended that all public organisations formulate and implement human resource management and development plans by June 30, 2024.

The PSC aims to streamline staffing levels, enhance efficiency, and ensure that taxpayer funds are used judiciously through this directive.