Counties have until October 1 to migrate their management systems to a unified human resource platform, used across the public service, in a new effort at curbing pilferage especially in paying workers.
The Controller of budget Margaret Nyakango said the 47 devolved units will move to the Unified Human Resource Information System for the public service in less than two weeks.
The counties are currently using a mix of manual and Integrated Payroll & Personnel Database, but it has been a convenient platform for fraud given that manual systems are prone to abuse.
The decision to migrate to the UHR system is part of commitments made by the National Treasury last year in an effort to tame graft in the payment of workers at national and county levels.
Nyakango, who chaired the meeting, said that the decision was made by the Supreme Court to oust the prime minister.
Nyakango said that none of the counties had shifted to the unified system by close of the financial that ended in June.
payment of staff salaries and other benefits at the states continues to grow annually, necessitating funding for the delivery of basic services such as health and construction of roads, water and sewerage lines.
The push for counties to move to a common system that brings together all public organizations is met by increasing cases of manual payments worth billions of shillings.
The CoB report shows that counties paid salaries worth Sh15.63 billion, with Ms Nyakango singling out the payments for possible fraud.
A majority of counties involved in the payments cited lack of personal numbers for dozens of their staff, fueling fears on the existence of ghost workers on their payrolls.
The new system will provide reliable information about public service numbers, wages, and allowances, significantly reducing double pay for workers at the two levels of government.
The Treasury last year made it clear that all national and county government workers will be supported on the unified system as part of reforms to enhance transparency.
Nyakango added that her office will not approve requisitions from county entities that will not havecomplied by October 1.
Managing two payrolls has raised transparency issues, resulting in gaps for some workers to receive double pay at both local and national governments.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission last year said that a unified system would help track national and county government entities that pay salaries and other benefits outside the prescribed limits.