The government is preparing to release the long-awaited list of ghost workers, with Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku confirming it will be made public on Wednesday, September 17.
Speaking during a live TV interview on Tuesday night, Ruku revealed that the payroll audit had been finalized and that decisive action would follow against those implicated.
“I have the experts who have been doing the payroll audit, and they will be coming to my office to do a presentation. There are issues, and I want to tell you that there are people who will suffer,” Ruku said, stressing that public office is a duty to serve Kenyans, not a free pass to earn without accountability.
Preliminary investigations flagged troubling patterns, including double or even triple salary payments for some workers. The revelations, according to Ruku, highlight the urgent need for reforms in how Kenya manages its public payroll.
Interestingly, Ruku broadened the definition of ghost workers beyond nonexistent names on the payroll. He argued that public servants who routinely report late, leave work within minutes of arrival, or exploit loopholes in attendance could also be classified as ghost workers.
“A ghost worker is anyone who arrives late at work, comes and leaves after 20 minutes or arrives too early. That is also a ghost worker, and that is why I ordered a payroll audit,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, Ruku commended the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Immigration Department, citing them as models of compliance and productivity within the public service.
Looking ahead, the government is working on a digital system designed to monitor the performance and attendance of public servants. Ruku said the platform would enhance transparency and help ensure taxpayers get value for money.
“We are in the process of coming up with a digital platform to ensure that public service output is monitored closely and uphold accountability in government offices,” he said.
The CS also warned jobseekers against bribery, stressing that both givers and receivers of kickbacks would face consequences.
With the payroll audit concluded, the publication of the ghost workers list is set to be a critical step in restoring integrity in the public service.
For many Kenyans, the move will test whether the government can not only identify irregularities but also take meaningful action against systemic corruption and inefficiency.
