Unseen staff,yet fully paid
A staff audit commissioned by Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe has unearthed a total of 935 ghost workers in Kitui County.
The audit conducted by the Kitui County Human Resource and Staff Rationalization committee included a physical headcount of all the county staff.
The unseen employees who only exist in the payroll did not show up during the employment validation process.
The report was handed over to Governor Malombe today. It revealed that out of the 935 ghost workers, 326 are Permanent and Pensionable employees, 23 are contractual, 56 ECDE teachers and 530 casuals.
According to the committee chaired by Dr Florence Muinde the County Public Service Board recruited 592 employees without evidence of accompanying requests and affirmation of the availability of funds for Personnel Emoluments (PE) from the relevant Chief Officers.
34 officers across different cadres were also appointed into positions without meeting the minimum requirements as per the career progression guidelines and the advertisement that declared the vacancies, the report indicates.
The report further disclosed that 72 health professionals were on study leave including 5 medical doctors who were on study leave beyond the approved duration.
The committee spelt out that officers were redesignated without their consent which may be construed to be punishment to the officers.
In the report, the committee recommended that arbitrary engagement of casuals and wage payments by departments without approval from the County Public Service Board ceases forthwith.
It also recommended that the county initiates measures to recover any irregular payments made to staff.
Further, the commission suggested that remedial action be taken against employees who through their acts of commission or omission led to grim malpractices in the management of the county payroll.
Governor Malombe on his part said he will follow all human resource procedures to implement the report.
"We will implement this report. Where immediate action is supposed to be taken, Let's also not forget that we must follow due diligence, Fairness and justice". he said.
Story by Governor's Press Service
