According to a new directive from the government, a nationwide crackdown has been launched targeting corrupt human resource officers accused of manipulating government payroll systems.
The move comes after internal audits exposed cases where some officers allegedly created ghost workers, inflated salaries, or reactivated payment accounts for retired and deceased staff. The government says the fraudulent schemes have been costing taxpayers millions of shillings every month.
In a statement released on Sunday, senior officials from the Public Service Commission (PSC) confirmed that security agencies and anti-corruption investigators have already begun tracing suspicious transactions across several ministries, state departments, and county governments. The aim, they said, is to identify and prosecute all individuals involved in the payroll scandals.
The statement further revealed that several officers have already been suspended to allow investigations to proceed. Those found guilty will not only face dismissal but will also be required to refund all stolen public funds. The crackdown will also extend to supervisors and accounting officers who may have ignored or concealed fraudulent activities under their watch.
Speaking on the matter, a top government official warned that corruption in human resource departments has become a major obstacle to reforms in public service. He emphasized that every shilling lost through fraud is money that should have gone to improving public services such as health, education, and infrastructure.
The government is also rolling out a new digital payroll management system designed to seal loopholes that have been exploited for years. The system will link all public employees’ details to their national identification and employment records to eliminate duplication and ghost workers.
Kenyans have welcomed the move, saying it is long overdue. Many hope that the crackdown will finally end the corruption networks that have drained public resources for decades. The government has assured the public that every individual found guilty will face the full force of the law without favoritism or political protection.
By Newshub