Matili Technical Training Institute (MTTI) in Bungoma County has welcomed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s (EACC) move to seek the dismissal of a disputed auction of institutional property by a contractor.
The Board of Governors chairperson, Prof. Okumu Bigambo, said on Friday that the intervention by the anti-graft agency and subsequent court decision had restored calm and confidence at the institution, which had been destabilized by the auction last year.
Speaking to Education News, Prof. Bigambo revealed that the unnamed contractor wrongfully auctioned one of the institute’s vehicles belonging to the driving school department, an action he said disrupted operations and caused unnecessary tension among staff and students.
“The contractor’s decision to auction one of our training vehicles greatly affected the smooth running of the driving school program,” said Prof. Bigambo. “It created anxiety among our students and staff and interfered with the institution’s normal activities.”
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He commended the EACC for moving swiftly to challenge the auction in court, describing the intervention as a significant step in protecting public resources and upholding accountability within learning institutions.
“We are grateful that justice has prevailed. The court’s decision has allowed us to resume normal operations and refocus on our core mission of delivering quality technical and vocational education,” he added.
Prof. Bigambo noted that the auction raised broader concerns about the integrity of contractual agreements and the need for stronger oversight in public procurement. He said the Board of Governors had since tightened internal financial and administrative controls to ensure that institutional assets are fully protected.
The chairperson further urged government agencies and education sector regulators to enhance supervision of contractors handling public projects, warning that weak oversight often leads to exploitation and misuse of public property.
Matili Technical Training Institute, located in Bungoma County, is one of Kenya’s leading public technical colleges, offering training in engineering, applied sciences, business, and other vocational fields.
The EACC has not disclosed the identity of the contractor involved in the disputed properties auction, but investigations are ongoing to determine the legality of the transaction and the possible recovery of institutional assets.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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