Mbadi Warns Counties Over Ghost Workers, Sets 30-Day Payroll Integration Deadline
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has issued a stern warning to county governments over the rising wage bill fueled by ghost workers.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Monday during the launch of the FY 2026/27 and Medium-Term Budget Process, Mbadi gave counties one month to comply with a new payroll directive.
Payroll Resistance
The CS said counties must integrate their payrolls into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Database (IPPD) within 30 days. He accused county executives of dragging their feet despite repeated reminders.
“On integrating the payroll system, we have noted that counties are still resisting. The notion that we should wait for MDAs, county assemblies, or county executives is incorrect. When will they be ready?” he posed.
Mbadi warned that the government will not tolerate excuses any longer. He insisted the directive is an order, not a request.
“This is an instruction, and therefore, county executives must be onboarded soonest,” he added.
Ghost Worker Crisis
The CS revealed that counties spend an average of 55 per cent of their revenues on salaries. He said this trend is unlawful, unsustainable, and fueled by ghost workers.
According to Mbadi, many counties are running parallel payrolls—manual, casual, and online—creating loopholes for corruption.
“Some counties have hired people who should not be on the payroll, creating a bloated workforce that drains public resources,” he said.
He stressed that ghost workers inflate wage bills, leaving little for development.
Treasury Takes Charge
The CS also issued a fresh order on procurement. He directed all ministries, departments, and state agencies to adopt eProcurement fully.
Mbadi disclosed that some government officers were sabotaging the system by pushing for a return to paper procurement.
“Some people want to stifle the eProcurement system because paper processes are easy to manipulate. That will not happen under my watch,” Mbadi declared.
Counties on the Spot
Counties now have until late September to comply. Failure to do so could trigger sanctions from the Treasury.
Kenyans, already burdened by taxes and high living costs, will be watching closely to see if the directive finally ends the ghost worker menace that has drained billions from public coffers.
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Mbadi Warns Counties Over Ghost Workers, Sets 30-Day Payroll Integration Deadline
