Are We Funding Ghost Students?’ CS Mbadi Pushes for TSC Payroll Clean-Up
In a bold move to curb corruption, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has confirmed that Kenya’s Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) payroll and capitation funds are under close scrutiny by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking during a public discussion on Saturday, June 4, Mbadi revealed that the government had invited the IMF to conduct an anti-corruption diagnostic. This assessment, which ran from June 16 to June 30, focused on major public spending areas.
“We feel education, which is taking the largest chunk of our budget, needs to be looked into in terms of strengthening the systems,” said Mbadi.
“Capitation: Are we paying for students who are in school, or are we paying for students who exist on paper?”
With education receiving the lion’s share of the national budget, the CS emphasized the urgent need for transparency and efficiency. He pointed out that the TSC payroll alone consumes over Ksh400 billion annually.
“We have a huge payroll of about Ksh400 billion annually for paying teachers. We need to ensure it is clean, efficient, and free from ghost workers or inflated figures,” he stated.
Importantly, the government did not wait for external pressure. It proactively requested the diagnostic to identify weak points in public financial systems and recommend reforms.
“We suggested the sectors ourselves. We know where the gaps are — education, health, infrastructure,” Mbadi said.
The IMF anti-corruption team, led by Rebecca Sparkman, included experts from its Fiscal Affairs, Legal, Finance, and Strategy departments. Representatives from the World Bank also participated. The team met a wide range of stakeholders, from government officials to civil society actors, to gather a complete picture of corruption risks.
While the mission concluded on June 30, the final report is expected in October. Kenyans are now eagerly waiting to learn what the review unearthed.
“From where I sit, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be published. But that will be a Cabinet decision,” he said.
IMF Targets TSC Payroll, Capitation in Kenya’s Bold Anti-Graft Audit
This audit reflects Kenya’s growing willingness to expose systemic flaws. It also signals a new era where financial accountability is no longer optional.
If the findings go public, the revelations could reshape how public funds are managed — starting with classrooms and chalkboards.
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Are We Funding Ghost Students?’ CS Mbadi Pushes for TSC Payroll Clean-Up
