Universities Under Fire As MPs Expose Their Spending On Failed Tech, Tribal Hiring and Fake Payroll
Kenya’s public universities are facing significant challenges following the revelations by Members of Parliament concerning severe mismanagement of funds and operations. The National Assembly’s Committee on Public Investments, Governance, and Education has unveiled substantial scandals within the education sector, which include ineffective systems, ghost workers, and discriminatory hiring practices.
The committee, chaired by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, expressed concern over the expenditure of hundreds of millions on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that have failed to function. While these systems were intended to enhance management, inadequate planning and poor vendor selection rendered them ineffective.
At the Commission for University Education (CUE), Members of Parliament scrutinized a Ksh45. 7 million system with unclear progress, despite Ksh30. 5 million having already been disbursed. Completion reports were not available, constituting a breach of procurement regulations.
The committee also identified a Ksh2. 5 million discrepancy in a car and mortgage loan fund, lacking supporting documentation for the transactions. Furthermore, CUE retained 90% of its surplus Ksh80 million, contravening public finance legislation.
Kibabii University came under scrutiny for employing 75% of its 430 staff members from a single ethnic background. Members of Parliament indicated that this practice contravenes legal requirements and national values.
Additionally, the university allocated 64% of its revenue toward salaries, nearly double the permissible limit.
Meru National Polytechnic was highlighted for maintaining dubious payroll records. Auditors discovered fictitious KRA PINs, unusual birth dates, and over 140 questionable contracts.
The ERP system failed to comply with regulations regarding salary deductions, and leadership disregarded audit recommendations.
Moreover, construction projects at Meru Polytechnic were reported as sluggish and riddled with illegal modifications. Members of Parliament indicated that those accountable would face penalties if they persist in violating regulations.
Meanwhile, Kisii Polytechnic, Kenya School of Law, and the Council of Legal Education were expelled from the meeting for attending without essential officers. They were instructed to return with appropriate teams to provide explanations regarding their financial reports.
The committee pledged to continue advocating for transparency, accountability, and improved services within the education sector.