WORKERS at the Department of Civil Registry have expressed outrage after learning that the Registrar-General sought Treasury permission to divert funds allocated for their allowances to the procurement of “chefs” cars and catering for transport expenses.
Employees at the Civil Registry Department, which falls under the Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage ministry, claim they have been partially paid for their participation in the national mobile registration blitz conducted between March and April 2023, ahead of the general elections.
The government had committed to pay each worker US$120 per day for the exercise, amounting to US$3 600 for the three months, but it has not been able to clear the arrears to date.
In a letter dated February 28, 2024 addressed to Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage secretary Raphael Faranisi, the Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion ministry acknowledged the outstanding payments.
Treasury had indicated that the funds would be disbursed in batches from March to May last year due to financial constraints although the government is yet to honour the pledge, the employees claimed.
Some employees also claimed that in June 2025, funds were briefly deposited in their bank accounts, purportedly as their long-awaited allowances, but they were ordered not to use the money before the transactions were reversed on the basis that it was a mistake.
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In a letter dated June 12, 2025 addressed to Faranisi and seen by NewsDay, Registrar-General Henry Machiri requested permission to use the funds allocated for workers’ allowances to pay for other pressing issues.
“We are requesting authority to settle overdue commitments that require payment in foreign currency,” Machiri wrote in the letter.
“These commitments were supposed to be paid in December 2024. Due to intermittent supply of foreign currency at Treasury, there has not been any general forthcoming payment.
“As we are drawing closer to July 2025, we are now caught in a deadlock that may result in the service being cut off any time from now and e-passports derecognised globally.
“In view of the above, the department is seeking authority to use US$1,1 million originally allocated for mobile mop-up registration payment to settle pressing commitments, namely ICAO, Impala and motor vehicle plates for directors.”
Contacted for comment, Machiri refuted the workers’ allegations.
“Did I sign that letter with a pen?” Machiri quizzed.
“I assure you, no funds were diverted. Our funds for salaries are not used for anything. You can check with the chief accountant.
“No workers’ funds were used for something else. You know how government operates. Funds are released by Treasury. If Treasury releases funds, they will get their dues.”
Faranisi said he was in a meeting when NewsDay contacted him for comment.