Government to Eliminate 32,000 Ghost Teachers in Payroll Cleanup.
The Kenyan government plans to remove 32,000 ghost teachers from the Ministry of Education’s payroll in a move to tackle corruption. National Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi announced this initiative as part of a broader strategy to clean up the government payroll system, which is riddled with fraudulent payments.
The Ministry of Education’s payroll audit highlights a significant discrepancy between the number of teachers listed and those actively working. While 230,000 teachers appear on the payroll, only 198,000 are currently valid. CS Mbadi noted that deceased teachers have stayed on the payroll for years, continuing to receive salaries. This misuse of funds drains substantial resources that could otherwise improve public services and supporting the legitimate workforce.
The government views this payroll reform as essential in curbing financial losses in the education sector. By addressing this issue, the Ministry hopes to redirect the misappropriated funds toward improving teacher welfare and upgrading school infrastructure.
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The upcoming payroll reform will introduce key changes to prevent future occurrences of ghost workers. First, the government will implement biometric verification for all employees, ensuring that only those actively working receive payment. In addition, stricter auditing measures are necessary in detecting any irregularities early on. The system will also undergo modernization, incorporating advanced technology to enhance payroll management and reduce fraudulent activities.
Mbadi emphasized that these reforms could recover millions of shillings that have been lost through payroll fraud. This recovery of funds is critical for the Ministry of Education, which has struggled with inadequate financial resources to meet its goals, such as improving school infrastructure and supporting teacher development.
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The payroll cleanup in the education sector is part of a larger government effort to root out corruption in public service. According to CS Mbadi, this initiative could serve as a model for other ministries facing similar issues. The success of these reforms in the Ministry of Education will pave the way for similar payroll overhauls in other government sectors. As a result, by promoting transparency and fiscal responsibility, the government aims to restore public trust and ensure that taxpayer money is used effectively.
The Ministry of Education’s payroll cleanup is a crucial step in the government’s broader strategy to fight corruption. Removing ghost teachers from the system will not only save millions of shillings but also improve the quality of public education by channeling funds toward necessary improvements. In addition, with biometric verification and modernized auditing measures in place, the government is on track to ensure greater accountability across all sectors.
Government to Eliminate 32,000 Ghost Teachers in Payroll Cleanup.
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