PSC Exposes 20,000 Phantom Workers In Government Payroll Shock
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has revealed the presence of nearly 20,000 fictitious employees in the government’s list of employees.
A commission report has highlighted a seemingly inflated public sector, which is depleting public funds.
In the annual report for the fiscal year 2022/2023, the Public Service Commission (PSC) revealed that various government agencies and departments had exceeded the authorized staffing levels by employing an additional 19,467 personnel.
The State House and New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) Limited both had more than 100 members each, and 15 other organizations were identified with staffing levels exceeding 50 percent of their recommended establishment.
The disclosure from the Public Service Commission (PSC) validates Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakango’s findings regarding discrepancies in the nation’s spending.
It underscores that 70% of the budget allocated to both national and county governments is utilized for recurring expenses, primarily salaries, while a minimal 30% or even less is directed toward developmental initiatives.
A study conducted by the PSC, responsible for monitoring the public sector’s effectiveness, uncovered that during the fiscal year 2022/2023, 19,467 personnel were included in the government payroll without proper authorization, exceeding the recommended staff allocation for ministries and departments.
Ministries and state departments had the largest unauthorized staff count, totaling 12,535, with state corporations following at 4,558 and public universities at 2,287.
Fifteen organizations were found to have surplus personnel, with the commission identifying five of them as having more than 50 percent additional staff beyond their recommended staffing levels.
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The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) exceeded the recommended staffing levels by 115%, the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority by 72%, the State Department for Devolution by 61%, the State Department for Higher Education and Research by 69%, and the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services by 59%.
Six institutions showed significant discrepancies, each having more than 100 additional employees compared to the figures recorded in the staff register. Notable examples include State House with 483 excess staff and New KCC with 492.
In the preceding fiscal year, four entities were identified as not adhering to the commission’s suggestions concerning the surplus of personnel. These include KEMSA, the State Department for Transport, the State Department for Higher Education, and the State Department for Devolution.
The surplus workforce in the organizations led to the inefficient use of staff, inflated payroll expenses, and strained resources in the workplace.
Out of 523 organizations, only 21 have formulated thorough human resource management and development plans that guide their recruitment and training processes.
The commission has advised that by June 30, 2024, all public organizations should formulate plans for managing and developing their human resources.
PSC Exposes 20,000 Phantom Workers In Government Payroll Shock
