Corruption and Payroll Scandal in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AXADLE) – Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mungaab, overseeing Mogadishu as Governor of Banadir, has unearthed a startling issue: the city’s administration is financially supporting 3,000 employees, yet alarmingly, only a fraction, less than 600, are on the job.

The mayor boldly labeled the scenario “massive corruption,” crippling the entire system under its weight.

“Out of three thousand people on Banadir’s payroll, only a tiny number are actually on-site and working,” Mungaab explained during a recent gathering with municipal staff held on a sunny Saturday, August 9, 2025.

Adding fuel to the fire, it’s come to light that crucial international aid is at risk of being reduced, according to Mungaab.

However, Mungaab’s ideal of getting every employee to clock in every day faces a gigantic hurdle: a significant chunk of those receiving paychecks aren’t really part of the team.

Inside scoops from Banadir’s Department of Labor revealed to Kaab TV that high-ranking officials have been sneaking their kin onto the payroll, turning the system into their personal cash machine.

Astonishingly, over 1,600 ’employees’ are reported to be living abroad whilst still taking home salaries from Banadir. So much for an honest day’s work!

Kaab TV shed light on an outrageous list involving President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s social media backers, alongside relatives of intelligence chief Mahad Salaad and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. None of them are residing or working in Somalia, yet, they’re getting paid.

This epic fraud is anchoring a crippling anchor on the federal budget, shaking donors’ faith in the system.

Consider this: international contributors are picking up the tab for over 70% of Somalia’s budget, and most of that cash heads straight into salary coffers.

Funding in Jeopardy

Mungaab further cautioned that the clock is ticking on international aid, which could potentially disappear by year’s end.

“There’s genuine worry that funding, particularly in our health sector, might not continue as discussed with the Minister of Health. It’s high time we batten down the hatches and begin self-sustaining,” he elaborated.

Somalia struggles as one of the toughest places to nail corruption, especially when those guilty are nesting at the top or are intertwined with high-profile figures.

Global watchdog Transparency International places Somalia at the unfortunate pinnacle of corruption worldwide. With such a journey ahead, one wonders when genuine change will arise.