Kenya continues to grapple with wage bill fraud, with the Public Service Commission (PSC) estimating that ghost workers cost taxpayers about Sh6.5 billion annually.
The losses come as the government's wage bill remains one of its largest expenditures, consuming 41.8 per cent of total government revenue.
In 2025, public sector salaries amounted to Sh1.24 trillion, underscoring the importance of accurate payroll management and stronger oversight.
A recent PSC report also highlighted inconsistencies in staffing records, showing that official biodata captured 244,208 employees, while government agencies submitted payrolls reflecting 260,204 workers.
The discrepancy points to 15,994 ghost workers, representing about 6.1 per cent of the public workforce.
Ghost workers are individuals who receive salaries despite not legitimately working for the government, often due to payroll manipulation or identity fraud.
