The Public Service Commission (PSC) has exposed a shocking revelation of nearly 20,000 ghost workers surprisingly on the government payroll, raising concerns about the extent of a bloated public service that is draining public funds.
In its annual report covering the 2022/2023 financial year, the PSC also disclosed that various government agencies and departments had employed an excess of 19,467 personnel beyond the approved staffing levels.
State House and the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) Limited emerged as the worst offenders, each surpassing the recommended staff levels by over 100 members.
Additionally, 15 other organizations were identified as having more than 50 percent additional staff compared to their recommended establishment.
The PSC’s findings align with reports by the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakango, highlighting a significant mismatch in the country’s expenditure.
A staggering 70 % of budgetary allocations to national and county governments were allocated to recurrent expenditure, predominantly salaries, leaving a minimal 30 % or less for development.
The report by the PSC, which monitors public sector performance, detailed that unauthorized staff additions during the 2022/2023 financial year were most prevalent in ministries and state departments, totaling 12,535.
State corporations followed with 4,558, and public universities had 2,287 unauthorized staff.
The PSC identified 15 organizations with excess staff, notably flagging five with over 50 % additional staff beyond recommended levels.
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) had a staggering 115 % excess, National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority at 72 %, State Department for Devolution at 61 %, State Department for Higher Education and Research at 69 %, and the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services at 59 %.
State House, New KCC with disparities in staff registers
Six organizations, including State House and the New KCC with excesses of 483 and 492 staff respectively, faced high disparities compared to their staff registers.
Four other organizations, namely KEMSA, State Department for Transport, State Department for Higher Education, and the State Department for Devolution, were identified for defying the commission’s recommendations regarding excess staff levels in the previous financial year.
The repercussions of this surplus staff include underutilization of personnel, inflated wage bills, and strained workplace facilities.
Shockingly, out of 523 organizations, only 21 had developed comprehensive human resource management and development plans guiding recruitment and training.
In response, the PSC has urged all public organizations to formulate human resource management and development plans by June 30, 2024, to address this alarming issue.
