Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has raised an alarm over widespread irregularities in the management of NG-CDF funds, citing unverified bursary allocations and incomplete school projects worth millions of shillings.
In her latest report for the financial year ending June 2025, Gathungu revealed that despite repeated warnings, NG-CDF boards across several constituencies continue to flout financial rules, issuing bursaries without proper documentation and failing to account for project expenditures.
The audit shows that in many cases, cash transfers running into millions were made to schools, yet physical inspections found no evidence of work completed. This has raised serious concerns about accountability and value for money in the use of public resources.
Covering about 20 constituencies, the report highlights bursary applications lacking basic details such as names of applicants, identification numbers, and institutions attended, making verification impossible. On projects, the audit found incomplete works and payments unsupported by evidence of delivery.
Among the constituencies flagged are Webuye West, Webuye East, Rongo, Makadara, Daadab, Embakasi East, Kitutu Chache South, Thika Town, Awendo, and Kinango.
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In Awendo, auditors noted irregularities in bursary disbursements to secondary schools and tertiary institutions, as well as questionable classroom construction projects. A sample of payment vouchers amounting to KSh4,619,500 transferred to seven schools had acknowledgement letters and receipts, but no beneficiary lists.
The report also flagged unsupported emergency works worth KSh4.5 million, alongside questionable payments for classroom blocks, including KSh19.2 million at St Anne Dede Primary School and an overpayment of KSh1.245 million at St Cecilia Olare Comprehensive School.
Embakasi East constituency recorded some of the most glaring discrepancies. Bursary expenditure totalling KSh76,201,000, comprising KSh47,903,000 for secondary schools, KSh28,268,000 for tertiary institutions, and KSh30,000 for special schools, was unaccounted for.
The audit found missing lists of applicants, vetting committee records, and acknowledgement receipts, making it impossible to confirm whether funds reached intended beneficiaries. Physical inspections of projects at Donholm Primary School, KSh27,500,000; Maua Primary School, KSh20,826,404; and Embakasi Primary School, KSh11,323,529, totalling KSh59,649,933, revealed no work had been done by September 2025.
Webuye East constituency was flagged for 69 projects worth KSh53.5 million that lacked bank confirmation certificates, cash books, and reconciliation statements. The report noted that PMC bank balances totalling KSh53,483,824 could not be verified. At Lugulu Mixed Day and Boarding Primary School, auditors found that the status of completion of an administration block was unclear at the time of takeover by the Fund, with no site handover minutes recorded, making it impossible to confirm value for money.
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In Rongo constituency, a laboratory project at Kandiaga Primary School valued at KSh4,998,500 was found incomplete despite full payment. A physical inspection in September 2025 revealed unfinished terrazzo flooring, plumbing, corridor ceilings, fume chamber, and painting.
The report warned that without strict oversight and adherence to procedures, NG-CDF funds remain vulnerable to misuse.
The Auditor General stressed that disbursing bursaries without verification and paying for projects without evidence undermines transparency and accountability, leaving millions of shillings unaccounted for.
By Masaki Enock
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