Education Ministry Orders Staff Headcount as Ksh6.2 Billion Payroll Fraud Probe Intensifies
Memo Orders Staff to Report
The Ministry issued an internal memo on Friday, October 16, which Kenyans.co.ke obtained. It directs every head of directorate to account for all employees under their supervision this week.
The headcount will take place at the ground floor of Jogoo House on three days. Employees must report in person on Monday, October 19, Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22.
Who Must Attend
All employees must attend, including those on leave and those currently receiving treatment in hospital. The Ministry may stop the salaries of any staff member who skips the verification exercise.
Employees must bring their KRA PINs, original ID cards, and first and current appointment letters. The memo says a recent payroll audit made the physical headcount necessary across state departments.
What the Audit Found
The audit covered 53 state departments, and 12 of them showed suspected payroll irregularities. Those irregularities total Ksh6.2 billion, which raises concerns about how the government manages public payroll.
DCI Investigation
The Cabinet met on June 30, 2026, and told the DCI to investigate suspected payroll fraud. The probe covers ministries, departments, agencies and state corporations amid claims of widespread wage bill irregularities.
Cabinet further ordered detectives to verify personal numbers used in processing payroll across government. Investigators must also dismantle criminal networks that manipulate payroll and recover public money lost to fraud.
Ghost Workers and Suspended Officers
The DCI began its investigations in July, working together with the Public Service Ministry. Early findings uncovered unborn children, minors and ghost workers who allegedly drew millions in salaries.
Investigators have so far implicated the Ministry of Health, Kenya Prisons Service and Kenya Police Service. It asked 84 HR managers linked to these agencies to step aside for 30 working days.
Post a Comment