Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to probe ghost workers

The anti-graft agency will be asked to investigate ghost workers on public service payroll once fresh registration of civil servants is completed.

Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru vowed that the culprits, which the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission will expose, would not go scot free.

“We will take action against those who have benefited from the pay that goes to ‘ghost workers’. Those who have been entering data into the system for personal gain must be ready to face the law. We seek to recover the cash,” said Ms Waiguru.

The minister said the government lost about Sh80 million every month to ghost workers. The figure may even be more, she added.

Ms Waiguru spoke at Harambee House on Tuesday during the launch of the biometric registration of civil servants for her ministry.

She was accompanied by Planning Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti.

The minister said the programme would be extended to parastatals, teachers and the military in subsequent phases.

REFORMS

Ms Waiguru said the launch of the drive was in line with various reforms the government was undertaking in the public service.

“The reforms are aimed at ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, transparency, accountability and prudent management of resources to spur the much-needed economic growth as provided for in Vision 2030,” said Ms Waiguru.

The Cabinet Secretary reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the country achieved accelerated economic growth.

“To realise this goal and secure our country’s prosperity, the government is implementing public sector reforms,” said Ms Waiguru.

The reforms are guided by principles in the Constitution and Vision 2030, which compel public officers to observe efficiency, respect for human rights, good governance, integrity, transparency, accountability and sustainable development.

Ms Waiguru said reviews of the organisational structures, functions and staffing of the national and county public service against their respective mandates would be undertaken.

“The biometric data will provide the actual number of workers, the skills and competences in the service. It will go a long way in cleansing the payroll,” said the minister.

SUPPORT INITIATIVE

She told civil servants that the programme was only aimed at paving the way for effective management of the public service and ensure it was responsive to the needs of Kenyans.

“All public servants and stakeholders will continuously be engaged and updated on the implementation of the programme,” said the Cabinet Secretary, who is in charge of the fresh listing.

She asked them to support the initiative.

The programme was launched on Monday by President Uhuru Kenyatta and is expected to be completed by October 11.

Workers' fingerprints will be taken and their retinas scanned. They are also being photographed.