The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has directed urgent reforms in several institutions of higher learning following revelations of weak internal controls, staffing irregularities, and financial mismanagement.
During a sitting on February 17, Committee chair Wanami Wamboka said the audit queries spanning the 2018/2019 to 2024/2025 financial years exposed serious gaps that threaten service delivery and credibility in public institutions. He stressed that Parliament will continue exercising firm oversight to safeguard resources and strengthen governance in the education sector.
Tom Mboya University was singled out for overreliance on government allocations. Lawmakers urged the institution to diversify its income streams, pointing to Karatina University as an example of how innovation and resource mobilization can sustain operations. The Committee also raised concerns over the recruitment of tutorial fellows outside policy guidelines and ordered the university to address ethnic disparities in staffing within two years, noting that one community currently accounts for 59 per cent of employees.
Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College came under fire for lacking an internal audit unit and holding student caution money since 2023 without a dedicated account. The Committee termed the practice unprofessional, ordering immediate refunds and directing management to open a separate account within two weeks.
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Laisamis Technical Training Institute was flagged for discrepancies in financial audit responses and highlighted severe staff shortages after 11 trainers were transferred without replacements. The Committee recommended government support to help unlicensed trainers secure TVETA certification to meet national training standards.
The Business Registration Service was also questioned over understaffing and unclear staff establishment policies. Lawmakers pledged to coordinate with the relevant ministry and the Public Service Commission to fast-track approvals. They further demanded documentation on the suspension of the Capacity Building Levy, which management said had been halted by a court order.
“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,” Wamboka said.
By Masaki Enock
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