The government has ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to immediately begin investigations into suspected payroll fraud across Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and State Corporations after an audit uncovered alleged irregularities worth Ksh6.2 billion.
The directive was issued during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday.
The government says the investigations are aimed at protecting public funds and ensuring that those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable.
According to the Cabinet dispatch, the DCI will investigate claims that government payroll systems may have been manipulated through unauthorized changes to employee records, irregular salary payments, and weaknesses in internal controls.
These alleged gaps are believed to have created opportunities for fraud within parts of the public service.
Investigators have also been instructed to verify personal numbers used in payroll processing to establish whether they belong to genuine employees.
They will also work to identify and dismantle any criminal networks that may have been involved in the suspected scheme.
In addition, the DCI has been directed to recover any public money that may have been lost and ensure that anyone found responsible is arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The investigations come after a payroll audit reviewed 53 State Departments. The audit found suspected irregularities amounting to Ksh6.2 billion in 12 of the departments examined. The findings have raised fresh concerns about the management of government payroll systems and the need for stronger oversight.
Besides the suspected fraudulent payments, the audit also identified weaknesses in statutory deductions and pointed to fragmented payroll management systems across government institutions.
It further highlighted major oversight gaps that may have made it easier for irregular payments to go unnoticed.
The government believes that improving payroll management is necessary to strengthen accountability and safeguard public resources.
The latest directive signals a renewed effort to address weaknesses that may have allowed the alleged irregularities to occur.
If the investigations confirm any criminal activity, those found responsible are expected to face legal action while efforts will be made to recover lost funds.
The government has maintained that public resources must be managed responsibly and that systems handling taxpayer money should operate with transparency and accountability.
The DCI is now expected to begin its investigations as the government seeks to establish the full extent of the suspected payroll fraud and recommend measures to prevent similar cases in the future.
The outcome of the investigations could also shape future reforms aimed at strengthening payroll management across the public sector.
