The Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, chaired by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, has intensified scrutiny on public universities and technical colleges after uncovering major audit gaps and inconsistencies in financial management.
Ziwa Technical Training Institute was the first to face the Committee, with MPs demanding answers over missing financial statements for the 2017/2018 audit year. The Committee dismissed explanations linking the gaps to the deaths of two former principals, insisting that institutional records must be properly maintained regardless of leadership changes.
Lawmakers also questioned an Mpesa overdrawing of Ksh 9 million, persistent failure to produce audit evidence, and unexplained financial entries. A procurement officer was fined Ksh 500,000 for submitting misleading information in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, while the long-serving Finance Officer came under pressure to explain repeated audit lapses.
Maasai Mara Technical & Vocational College was ordered to reappear after turning up without key officers, including a former principal and heads of procurement and human resources, despite pending audit issues tied to their tenure. Wamboka faulted the institution for what he termed “deliberate obstruction of accountability.”
The Committee also reviewed Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology (MMUST), where MPs expressed concern over student fee arrears surpassing Ksh 800 million. Management has proposed a Ksh 23 million write-off, while Ksh 464 million is owed by postgraduate students who have been inactive for more than seven years. MPs pushed for the MMUST–HELB Revolving Fund to be operational by December 31, 2025, to support recoveries. The long-delayed Olympic-size swimming pool, now at 77% completion, also came under scrutiny.
ALSO READ:
40,000 JSS teachers risk being locked out from KNUT, KUPPET 2026 elections for non-membership
At Matili Technical Training Institute, the Committee queried a Ksh 46 million fee debt and revisited a previous staffing controversy where 120 out of 130 employees came from one ethnic group. Management reported progress following recent policy reforms.
The School Equipment Production Unit was reprimanded over weak record-keeping and slow progress in reclaiming a contested 12-acre parcel of land in Imara Daima currently entangled in a squatter dispute. MPs also flagged an uncollected staff debt of more than Ksh 800,000 and called for a special audit on irregularly recorded iPads and unsurrendered excess receipts.
Wamboka said the Committee will continue enforcing strict financial discipline in public learning institutions, stressing that “transparency and proper use of education funds are obligations, not requests.”
By Godfrey Wamalwa
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
