Details emerge over ghost workers scandal under Universal Health Coverage program
Details emerge over ghost workers scandal under Universal Health Coverage program
Startling revelations have emerged from within Kenya’s healthcare system, exposing a multi-million-shilling scandal allegedly driven by ghost workers under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.
According to documents obtained by Citizen TV, millions of shillings earmarked for frontline county health workers may have been misappropriated by shadowy cartels operating within the Ministry of Health.
A confidential Ministry of Health document highlights significant discrepancies between the ministry’s payroll and the Council of Governors’ register of UHC staff.
The inconsistencies suggest that thousands of individuals listed as healthcare workers may not exist or are no longer serving in the roles they are paid for.
Launched with the promise of transforming healthcare across all 47 counties, the UHC program now faces intense scrutiny.
The vision of equitable access to quality care appears compromised by fraudulent payroll practices, with names of deceased, emigrated, or inactive workers reportedly still drawing government salaries.
Outside Afya House, UHC staff have staged daily protests—complete with songs, dances, and the blare of vuvuzelas—demanding that their contracts be confirmed as permanent and pensionable.
“The government of Kenya is losing billions by paying ghost UHC workers who cannot be accounted for,” said Muthomi Njuki, Chair of the Council of Governors Health Committee. “The official list claims there are 8,700 UHC workers, but from our county-level verification, we can only account for about 5,700. That leaves around 3,000 names that are highly questionable.”
A letter dated May 14, 2025, signed by Medical Services Permanent Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga and addressed to the Council of Governors, acknowledges the discrepancies in the payroll records.
Insider sources confirmed that while some UHC staff have exited the profession, moved abroad, or even died, their names remain active on the payroll.
“Interviews were conducted at county levels, not just in Tharaka Nithi but across the country,” added Njuki. “However, the payroll is managed nationally, and those in charge do not verify whether an individual is still actively working.”
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A payroll summary and county-specific staff lists obtained by Citizen TV further raise questions. In some counties, up to 34 names could not be accounted for.
With an average monthly salary of KSh 50,000 per worker, this translates to approximately KSh 1.7 million potentially being lost every month in a single county—an annual loss of KSh 20.4 million.
In response to the scandal, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has acknowledged the payroll irregularities and announced a comprehensive verification exercise scheduled for the second week of June.
“Next week, I’ve written to the Council of Governors to conduct a headcount,” said CS Duale. “UHC nurses signed contracts with county governments, so we must determine how many are truly working.”
Njuki echoed the urgency of the initiative, insisting that payroll audits must precede any further payments.
“I heard that unions are opposed to this, but we must proceed. We cannot keep paying individuals we cannot verify. The only way is for the Ministry of Health to provide us with their payroll data so we can reconcile it with the actual workers on the ground.”
Meanwhile, Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi has stated that the national government must first resolve all outstanding issues concerning UHC staff before transferring their payroll management to the counties.
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