Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has urged school principals to uphold strict financial discipline, warning that weaknesses in Kenya’s public finance systems could spill over into the education sector.
Speaking during the ongoing 48th KESSHA conference in Mombasa, Gathungu stressed the importance of regular audits, timely reporting, and strong internal controls in school financial management. She cautioned that unless these measures are enforced, schools risk falling into the same financial mismanagement seen in other public institutions.
“School principals must take personal responsibility for ensuring funds are properly used and accounted for,” said Gathungu. “The irregularities we are seeing at the national level can just as easily happen at the school level if we are not vigilant.”
The Auditor General’s warning comes in the wake of ongoing concerns about delayed capitation disbursements, which have left many schools operating on limited budgets.
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According to Gathungu, financial inefficiencies and lack of accountability in public institutions contribute directly to delays in funding essential services like education.
She also highlighted the need to amend the Public Finance Management Act (2012) to provide specific guidance and penalties for unauthorized expenditures. This, she said, would protect the education sector from financial disruptions caused by weak enforcement of budget rules.
“Proper laws must be in place to protect our schools from financial uncertainty,” she added. “We need to make sure every shilling meant for education is tracked and accounted for.”
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Her call to action aligns with growing frustration among school heads over capitation delays, infrastructure challenges, and CBC implementation hurdles. School leaders at the summit welcomed her remarks, noting that financial integrity is essential for sustainable school operations and quality education.
The five-day KESSHA conference, themed “Embracing Pathways in Senior School Education,” is being attended by over 9,000 principals from across the country. Key discussions are centered on curriculum reforms, funding challenges, teacher shortages, and improving infrastructure in public schools.
Gathungu’s address has set the tone for the summit’s policy discussions, with more key government officials expected to weigh in during the week.
By Benedict Aoya
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