Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has launched a staff audit exercise that will see 'ghost' workers striped from the county's payroll.
Speaking when she launched the exercise at Kefri Training Center in Kitui town on Friday, Ngilu said that the county is spending half of its annual budgetary allocation to paying salaries and allowances to workers.
She said the county will not achieve its development agenda unless ghost workers are sent packing.
Ngilu questioned why there is high number of casual employees compared to those who are actually employed by the county.
She said there are 8,332 casual workers compared to 5,560 permanent employees.
Ngilu said the staff audit supervised by officials from the Ministry of Devolution and the County Public Service Board will be carried out in a professional manner hence no one will be intimidated or victimized.
"The audit exercise will also see staff re-aligned to their professions in efforts to boost service delivery," Ngilu said.
Ngilu at the same time warned lazy staff, saying they will not be tolerated.
She said the county workers will soon start to sign Performance Appraisals.
Ngilu said the appraisals will help monitor staff performance and accountability.
Counties have been grappling with high wage bill as governors put in place measures to channel more money to development projects.