PSC Unearths 19,467 Ghost Workers in Government

The Public Service Commission (PSC) annual report for the fiscal year 2022–2023 has unearthed 19,467 extra workers across various departments and agencies of the government than the authorized staffing levels.

Both State House and the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) Limited had more than 100 members, while fifteen other organizations were identified as having more than 50% of their recommended staffing numbers.

The PSC revelation confirms reports by the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakango on mismatch in the country’s expenditure, where 70 per cent of budgetary allocations to both national and county governments is spent on recurrent expenditure, paying salaries, with a meagre 30 per cent or less spent on development. 

The report further revealed that in the 2022/2023 financial year, 19,467 unauthorised staff were added to the government payroll against the recommended staff establishment to ministries and departments. 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. 

15 organizations had excess staff with the commission listing five that had over 50 per cent additional staff over and above their recommended staffing level. 

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The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) had 115% staff over and above the recommended numbers, 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%.