A staff audit commissioned by Kitui Governor Julius Malombe has revealed that there are 935 ghost workers in the county government’s payroll.

The audit conducted by the Kitui County Human Resource and Staff Rationalization committee headed by Florence Muinde included a physical head count of staff.

Some 935 employees did not show up for the employment validation process, therefore they are being considered by the committee as ghost workers.

The committee said workers were given two months to present themselves before them but they did not.

According to the report which was handed over to Malombe, out of the 935 ghost workers, 326 are permanent and pensionable employees, 23 are contractual, 56 ECDE teachers and are 530 casuals.

Funds availability

The report further notes that, the County Public Service Board recruited 592 employees without evidence of accompanying requests and affirmation of the availability of funds for personnel emoluments from the relevant Chief Officers.

The committee reported that 34 officers across different cadres were also appointed to positions without meeting the minimum requirements as per the career progression guidelines and advertisement to declare the vacancies.

 In the report, it was disclosed that 13 officers were appointed but were not in the long list or shortlist but appeared for interviews. Eighteen officers were also promoted without the requisite qualifications.

The report further disclosed that 72 health professionals, including five doctors, were on study leave beyond the approved duration.

The report says officials were re-designated without their consent which may be construed to be punishment to the officers.

In the report, the committee recommends that arbitrary engagement of casuals and wage payments by departments without approval from the CPSB ceases forthwith.

Irregular payments

The committee also recommends that the salaries of the 935 ghost workers is stopped immediately and the county initiates measures to recover any irregular payments.

Further, the committee said action should be taken against employees who through their acts of commission or omission led to malpractices in the management of the county’s payroll.