The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has called on four public higher learning institutions to correct weaknesses exposed in audit reviews spanning the 2018/2019 to 2024/2025 financial years.
Meeting at Bunge Towers in Nairobi on Tuesday, February 17, the Committee, which is led by Wanami Wamboka, identified gaps in irregular hiring practices, internal oversight systems, and questionable financial management, warning that these issues undermine institutional integrity and service delivery.
Tom Mboya University came under sharp focus for its heavy reliance on Exchequer funding.
MPs encouraged the institution’s leadership to diversify its revenue streams, pointing to Karatina University as a model for leveraging innovation and existing assets to enhance sustainability.
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Lawmakers also flagged the hiring of tutorial fellows outside established policy frameworks.
The university was directed to address ethnic imbalances in staffing within two years, noting that one community currently accounts for 59 per cent of the workforce.
Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College was found to be operating without an internal audit department. The Committee further observed that student caution fees collected since 2023 had not been deposited in a dedicated bank account.
Describing the lapse as unprofessional, members ordered the immediate reimbursement of the funds and set a two-week deadline for management to establish a separate account.
At Laisamis Technical Training Institute, MPs pressed for clear, comprehensive explanations of audit discrepancies. They also highlighted acute staffing gaps after 11 trainers were transferred without replacement.
To address compliance challenges, the Committee proposed government intervention to help unlicensed trainers secure TVETA certification and meet regulatory standards.
Meanwhile, the Business Registration Service was questioned over inadequate staffing levels and ambiguous establishment structures. The Committee is committed to liaising with the parent ministry and the Public Service Commission (PSC) to expedite necessary approvals.
Members also demanded clarification on the suspension of the Capacity Building Levy. The Director General explained that its rollout had been halted following a court directive, prompting the Committee to request official documentation confirming the legal position.
In his closing remarks, Senator Wamboka reaffirmed the Committee’s resolve, stating:
“As a Committee, we have reviewed and interrogated audit reports dating back to the 2018/2019 financial year through to 2024/2025. This Committee will continue to exercise firm and constructive oversight.
We want to reinforce discipline in public institutions, protect resources and strengthen governance for the future of Kenya’s learners,” Senator Wamboka said in closing.
By Joseph Mambili
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