A special audit report for the financial years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 has uncovered widespread misappropriation of funds within the Ministry of Education (MoE). The findings reveal a state where billions intended to strengthen children’s education have been misused, pushing the system toward collapse.
According to the report, essential funding failed to reach public schools. Secondary institutions under the Free Day Secondary Schools (FDSS) programme were deprived of Ksh31 billion, while primary schools lost Ksh16 billion. Additionally, Special Needs Education in secondary schools experienced a Ksh7 billion shortfall.
Kajiado Senator Kanar Seki spoke out strongly, stating, “These revelations raise fundamental questions about transparency and accountability within the Ministry of Education and related agencies.”
He attributed the loss to corrupt officials who facilitated the disbursement of billions to ghost schools—non-existent institutions that somehow appeared in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
These phantom schools were “operational” only on paper, receiving capitation funds despite having no physical presence.
The audit reveals activities orchestrated by rogue ministry insiders, who collaborated with Treasury officials to manipulate the NEMIS database. They created fake schools, inflated enrollment figures, and approved large sums without proper verification.
Capitation in NEMIS is allocated based on reported student numbers. By exploiting this, dishonest officials fabricated institutions and exaggerated figures to siphon off government funds. This method ensured consistent fraudulent disbursements that ended up in private accounts.
Whistleblowers revealed that the scheme involved staff responsible for data entry, validation, and fund distribution. Some reportedly reopened schools that had been closed for years. In contrast, others processed payments for institutions without classrooms, teachers, or facilities.
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The Senate was informed that money meant for infrastructure, textbooks, meals, and staffing had instead been diverted—accelerating the decay of public education.
Condemning the situation, he called for immediate action, asking that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.
“This is a betrayal of the Kenyan people… Students are learning in overcrowded classrooms, some sitting on the floor, while billions are stolen,” he said.
He also questioned whether the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury had any concrete plans to recover the looted money and hold the culprits accountable.
With mounting public pressure, the Senate’s Standing Committee on Education has been called to act. Seki pushed for answers: Why were 14 fake schools approved in NEMIS? Who authorised the payments? What oversight lapses occurred?
He also called for an urgent verification of the NEMIS database, warning that “billions will continue flowing into the hands of thieves while learners suffer” if the system remains unchecked.
While education is a constitutional right in Kenya, Seki emphasised that this right is being denied by those mandated to uphold it. Parents continue to struggle with levies, while teachers face unmanageable class sizes.
In many areas, schools still lack essentials such as water, toilets, and electricity—despite the government’s claim of fully funding free primary and secondary education.
By Joseph Mambili
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