Payroll heist: How ghost workers in state departments are minting billions

The teacher in rural Murang'a took home less than one-third of her salary last month. The nurse at a Level 4 hospital in Kisumu has not seen a meaningful pay increase in three years. The civil servant in Nairobi commutes two hours each way because she cannot afford rent closer to her office. Across Kenya, millions of public sector workers are tightening their belts, squeezed by a cost-of-living crisis, stagnant wages, and relentless government appeals for fiscal discipline. But as ordinary Kenyans sacrifice, a parallel universe thrives - one where ghost workers feast on the public purse, where senior human resources officers manipulate payroll systems with impunity, and where cartels have, for decades, siphoned billions from the sweat of the hardworking majority. Premium Article Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week. Uncover the stories others won't tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access. 🔥 Flash Sale ! Subscribe now and enjoy 50% off monthly and annual plans. Offer ends in…