Government to Launch Payroll App for Civil Servants to Eliminate Ghost Workers, Says CS Geoffrey Ruku

The Kenyan government is set to introduce a new mobile payroll app that will be used to pay all civil servants across the country in a bid to eliminate ghost workers and enhance accountability within the public sector.

Speaking during a Radio Citizen interview on Monday, July 28, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku revealed that the app, which is being developed in collaboration with a local telecommunications company, will serve multiple functions, including payroll processing, attendance tracking, and job performance monitoring.

This move is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Public Service to reform and digitize human resource management systems within ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) at both the national and county levels.

Why the Government Is Introducing a Civil Servant Payroll App

CS Geoffrey Ruku explained that while a new electronic payroll system is already in use, the upcoming mobile app for civil servants in Kenya will serve as an additional layer of verification and tracking.

“So far, all the workers are being paid using the new system, which shows that you are a government worker and that you are in the office,” said Ruku.
“Before, there were so many ghost workers—people listed on the payroll who never reported to the office.”

He added that the app would also track daily attendance, ensuring that only staff who report to work regularly and perform their assigned duties are paid.

App to Be Mandatory for All Civil Servants

According to CS Ruku, the app will be a mandatory installation for all government employees, who will be required to check in through the system as part of daily operations.

The mobile-based tool will track:

• Clock-in and clock-out times
• Physical presence at designated workstations
• Basic work activity logs

The app aims to identify absentee workers, eliminate duplicate or fraudulent payroll entries, and ensure timely service delivery in government institutions.

Who Are the Ghost Workers?

In his remarks, Geoffrey Ruku gave a broader definition of ghost workers, going beyond the traditional meaning of non-existent employees receiving salaries. He said:

“Ghost workers, according to me, are not only people who don’t show up for work but also those who come late or leave to do personal business during work hours.”

He linked the presence of these “ghost workers” to delayed public services, inconsistent operations in county offices, and a general decline in the quality of service delivery in Kenya’s civil service.

Government’s Broader Crackdown on Civil Servant Absenteeism

The mobile app announcement is just one part of a broader initiative to reform the Kenyan public service. Earlier in July, CS Ruku announced that all government offices would soon be required to maintain attendance registers, monitored by supervisors and administrative heads.

He emphasized that the Public Service Commission (PSC) would be working closely with supervisors across all ministries to ensure that every employee is:

• Accounted for at work
• Assigned a clearly defined job description
• Evaluated based on attendance and service delivery metrics

“We want to engage all supervisors across all levels of administration and introduce an attendance register to ensure every employee has a clearly defined schedule of duties,” said Ruku during a press briefing on July 15, 2025.

Partnership with a Local Telco for App Development

Though the CS did not name the specific telecommunications firm, he confirmed that the government has partnered with a leading local tech provider to design, develop, and roll out the mobile app for use by public servants.

Industry experts believe this collaboration will bring:

• Real-time data integration with payroll systems
• Secure login and biometric verification
• Geolocation tracking to confirm presence at government offices

The app is expected to roll out in phases, beginning with key ministries such as Interior, Education, and Health, before being adopted across all government departments.

Public Service Employees React to the Payroll App Initiative

While many civil servants agree that reforms are needed, some have voiced concerns about privacy, app reliability, and potential misuse of attendance data.

A government employee based in Nakuru commented:

“Using an app to monitor us is okay if it’s done transparently, but what happens if the app malfunctions or if you’re working off-site for official duties? There needs to be flexibility.”

Others argue that reforms should be complemented by motivation, including better pay, working conditions, and career development pathways.

The Problem of Ghost Workers in Kenya’s Public Sector

The issue of ghost workers in Kenya’s civil service is not new. Over the years, several audits have uncovered thousands of fictitious employees drawing salaries—some of them for years—resulting in billions of shillings in lost public funds.

Past efforts to weed them out have included:

• Manual headcounts
• Biometric registrations
• Internal payroll audits

However, loopholes have persisted due to a lack of centralized systems and inconsistent enforcement.

The civil servant payroll app is expected to offer real-time, data-driven verification, which could significantly curb this problem.

What This Means for the Future of Public Service in Kenya

The introduction of the payroll app is part of the government’s digital transformation agenda aimed at streamlining service delivery and improving efficiency in the public sector.

Key potential benefits include:

• Eliminating payroll fraud and duplication
• Ensuring accountability and punctuality
• Monitoring performance and service output
• Enhancing transparency in employee management

The initiative aligns with President William Ruto’s broader goal of digitizing government operations to make the public service leaner, more efficient, and responsive.

Conclusion

The upcoming Kenya civil servant payroll mobile app marks a major shift in how government employees will be monitored, paid, and held accountable. By combining technology with policy reform, CS Geoffrey Ruku is leading an aggressive campaign to eliminate ghost workers and restore discipline in public service delivery.

While some concerns remain, especially around implementation and privacy, the initiative could pave the way for a more transparent and accountable civil service in Kenya.