Governor Amos Nyaribo has admitted that there could be approximately 500 to 1,000 ghost workers in Nyamira county.
Governor Nyaribo on Monday, February 20 stated that the county is in the process of validating the figures and identifying genuine employees.
He further reported that Nyamira County has outsourced a firm to conduct the audit.
“It is true we have not kept fiscal order in the county. There is already a process underway, and we are making progress in terms of finding out how many are there but so far, I can say between 500 to 1000 ghost workers who are being paid by the County,” Nyaribo said.
Moreover, Nyaribo who appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIC) to answer audit queries was asked to explain why 45 per cent of county revenue goes to employee compensation.
“How can you be spending 45 per cent of your net revenue on emoluments and just 13 percent on development?” Committee Chairperson Senator Moses Kajwang’ posed.
Also Read: Sabina Chege Says She Declined an Offer to be Nairobi Deputy Governor
In addition, an Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officer attached to Nyamira county also flagged irregular recruitment of employees in the county.
“The audit found out that there are many people who have irregularly been employed and this definitely leads to misuse of public funds,” the EACC officer stated.
Nonetheless, CPAIC labelled Governor Nyaribo as being “fiscally irresponsible.”
The committee further asked the county boss to send a report indicating the exact figure of the ghost workers in the county and the measures he intends to take to resolve the issue.
“You are fiscally irresponsible Governor Nyaribo. You are only supposed to spend a maximum of 35 per cent on wage bill but your county spent 45 percent on the expense of development. This has to change,” Kajwang stated.
