105 ghost workers gobbled up some Sh490 million between 2016 and 2022 t the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) can reveal. Following extensive investigations, the Commission has recommended the prosecution of high-ranking NMK officials for widespread fraud and financial misconduct.
The EACC revealed that some 105 phantom employees were inserted into the NMK payroll between 2016 and 2022 and enjoyed the spoils of illicit earnings, pocketing monthly salaries ranging from Sh 88,000 to a staggering Sh 95,000. These phantom workers also managed to secure loans from a local bank, only to hand over the borrowed sums to NMK officials, the investigation says, who, in return, gave back “appreciation” payouts ranging from Sh 100,000 to Sh 200,000.
Former NMK boss Mzalendo Kubunjia is at the centre of a ghost-worker corruption investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The commission has urged the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to bring the full weight of the law down upon the alleged perpetrators, including the former director general of the NMK, Mzalendo Kibunjia. Also in the crosshairs are Stanyas Ongalo, the Human Resource Director, Acting Director General Oliver Rabuor, and Wycliffe Ongata.
These individuals face, among other charges, unlawful acquisition of public property, conspiracy to commit an economic crime, abuse of office, acquisition of proceeds of crime, money laundering, and financial misconduct.Â
This is a developing story, and we will share more details as they emerge.