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An audit of staff at Elgeyo Marakwet county has flagged the existence of 112 ghost workers on the payroll.
The ghost workers were earning more than Sh80 million annually and the 769-page audit report indicated many of them had been on the payroll for more than eight years.
The 112 ’employees’ failed to turn up for the audit in March. Some apparently lacked necessary qualifications and papers.
The report handed over to Governor Wisley Rotich also highlighted gaps in the county’s human resource management.
Rotich in March had commissioned the staff audit to ascertain the status of staffing in the county. The audit exercise was carried out by the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) who were contracted by the county.
“This report will give us an inside look into our staffing issues so that we can replan how to move forward,” Rotich said.
Only 2,858 turned up for the audit while the payroll identified 2,611 staff. It’s suspected those on the payroll but did not appear for audit either lacked qualifications or were ghost workers.
The IHRM team led by Wycliffe Nyakina gave the county government an unqualified audit opinion and called for implementation of its recommended remedial steps to seal all loopholes.
Governor Rotich announced an implementation committee would be formed to look into all issues raised in report. Rotich also directed salaries for the 112 staff who did not participate in the audit be stopped pending investigations of their identities and roles.
“We will use the report to streamline the workforce to be more responsive to the needs of the public and guarantee value for money paid in salaries,” Rotich said.
He said he was determined to ensure the county had an efficient and effective workforce to help him deliver on his mandate. He said since he took over, the majority of staff were doing good work but he urged them to step up delivery of better services.
The governor said his administration would remain strict on delivery of services and ensure there would be no wastage of public resources meant to develop the region.
Governor Rotich succeeded his former boss, Alex Tolgos, who served for two terms. BY THE STAR