Government Unveils Tech Solution to Tackle Ghost Workers in Public Service

In a bid to tackle the longstanding issue of ghost workers in the public service, the Kenyan government has announced a groundbreaking initiative set to revolutionize personnel management.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria unveiled plans to leverage technology to rid the system of fictitious employees, marking a significant shift in approach.

Addressing the media at the 3rd National Wage Bill Conference held at the prestigious Bomas of Kenya, CS Kuria highlighted the failure of traditional methods, including religious interventions, in addressing the menace of ghost workers.

Instead, the government is turning to modern solutions, emphasizing the adoption of an Integrated Personnel and Payroll System for all public servants by December 2024.

Under the initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management, efforts will be intensified to ensure seamless migration of personnel data to a centralized database. CS Kuria affirmed the commitment to leave no stone unturned, extending the scope to include casual workers, even those engaged on a one-day contract basis.

The announcement drew widespread support from top government officials and stakeholders present, including H.E President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, Deputy President H.E Rigathi Gachagua, EGH, Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon Musalia W Mudavadi, and Governors represented by COG Chair Anne Waiguru. Also in attendance were key figures such as the Attorney General Justin Muturi, Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga, Principal Secretaries, and Chief of Defense Force Gen. Francis Ogolla.

The conference, themed around the imperative of reducing the wage bill to 35% of revenue, concluded with a unified resolve to embrace innovative strategies for fiscal sustainability. The introduction of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System stands as a pivotal step towards enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability within the public sector, signaling a new era in governance.