Principals of three technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions were on Tuesday put to task by Members of Parliament over persistent audit queries relating to staffing imbalances, undocumented assets and delays in government funding.
The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Education and Governance, chaired by Bumula Mp Jack Wamboka, grilled the management of Seme Training and Vocational College, Ugenya Technical and Vocational College and Ugunja Technical and Vocational College following reports by the Office of the Auditor-General covering the financial years 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.
The committee expressed concern over alleged non-compliance with legal requirements on ethnic balance in staffing, delays in disbursement of funds under the government scholarship programme, and failure by some institutions to properly insure and document public assets.
Members of the committee, including Daniel Kiili Karitho, Thaddeus Nzambia, Julius Sigei and Chiforomodo Mangale Munga, questioned the institutions on gaps flagged in the audit reports, including missing ownership documents for tractors and other equipment, as well as breaches of statutory provisions on ethnic representation in public entities.
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Chairman Wamboka warned that the findings pointed to serious governance weaknesses that required urgent correction, stressing that public institutions must adhere strictly to financial and legal regulations.
“These institutions are funded by taxpayers and must operate strictly within the law. Issues of ethnic imbalance, undocumented assets and delayed student support cannot be taken lightly,” he said.
Appearing before the committee, Seme Training and Vocational College Principal Kenneth Odero acknowledged the audit gaps, attributing them to administrative transitions and funding delays. He assured lawmakers that corrective measures were underway, including securing ownership documents for institutional equipment and aligning staffing structures with legal requirements.
Similarly, Ugenya Technical and Vocational College Principal Linda Ayuku raised concerns over delayed scholarship disbursements, warning that the situation was negatively affecting learning continuity and student retention.
“The late release of funds disrupts learning and institutional planning. We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure timely disbursement going forward,” she said.
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On his part, Ugunja Technical and Vocational College Principal Tom Oswago informed the committee that the institution had already begun implementing corrective actions, including insuring its assets and reviewing its staffing framework to comply with legal provisions on ethnic diversity.
“We have already initiated insurance cover for our property, plant and equipment and are reviewing our staffing to comply with the law on ethnic diversity,” he said.
The committee directed all three institutions to submit detailed responses with clear timelines for addressing the audit queries. It further indicated that its final report would be tabled in the National Assembly, with possible recommendations for administrative or disciplinary action against accounting officers found culpable.
The developments underscore continued parliamentary pressure on public institutions to strengthen accountability, improve financial management, and safeguard public resources.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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