The Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance today convened a series of meetings with six (6) Higher Learning institutions. The Committee chaired by Bumula MP Hon. Wanami Wamboka, deliberated on Audit Queries raised in the learning Institutions’ reports by the office of the Auditor General for financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 respectively.

Appearing before the MPs first was the Principal of Maasai Mara University Rachel Kimani,accompanied by her Finance Officer. They were however turned away by the Committee for failing to bring along all the relevant office holders to answer the audit questions.

“Our invitation letter to you was very categorical that your predecessor was to attend this meeting,” stated chairman Hon. Wamboka. “We cannot proceed without the principal who was in charge during the audit period.”

Also appearing before the Committee was Kapcherop Technical Training Institute Principal Elias Rotich, who was also turned away for the same reasons, prompting the Committee to question the seriousness of the schools’ heads to respond to audit matters.

“These principals don’t seem ready to answer our questions, we cannot undertake such meetings without the accounting officers responsible for the audit questions.” Posed Hon. Francis Sigei, MP (Sotik).

The Principal for Kipkabus Technical and Vocational Training College Mr. Eric Tanui was third to appear before the Committee. Among the issues of concern to the Committee at the institution include: expenditure outside reporting periods, stalled construction of Engineering Tuition block, and non-compliance with minimum requirements on Employee Ethnic Composition.

The principal, who told the Legislators that he has served at the institution for two years now, displayed a clear lack of understanding of the law on the matters raised, prompting the MPs to question his eligibility for the position he holds.

“It makes no sense that a principal has been in a school for two years but has no access to files of projects, neither does he understand the basic law on ethnic composition of staff.” Stated Hon (Eng.) Thaddeus Nzambia MP, (Kilome).

“If the principal does not understand what the Law says, how do we expect him to comply with its provisions?” Said the Chairperson.

The institution was also flagged for failing to deduct taxes from Board Members’ allowances, thus the Committee directed the principal to ensure that is done in record time.

Appearing before MPs too was the Moiben Technical and Vocational College principal Viola Ng’etich, who was taken to task to explain why the institution paid Kshs. 1.73 Million on staff training without prior Training Needs Assessment and planning, nor guidelines on how to undertake the same.

“You cannot successfully run an institution where you don’t address the staff’s needs.” Emphasized Hon. Rebecca Tonkei, MP (Narok).

Moiben TVC was also questioned on delayed submissions of responses to audit queries, with the Office of the Auditor general facing scrutiny for its failure to furnish the institutions with adequate information to draw responses from.

“These young institutions need guidance on the audit processes, hence the office of the Auditor General must indulge them to avert these recurrent problems.” Said Hon. Anthony Kibagendi, MP (Kitutu Chache North).

The Ollessos National Polytechnic principal Wesley Yegon also appeared before the Hon. Wamboka-led Committee. Their issues, included among others: failure to observe the 1/3 rule of staff composition, anomalies in Annual Procurement plan, failure to register trainers with TVE Training Authority, and losses of the Institute’s Production units amounting to 21.8 Million for catering activities, and 743,687 on farming in the F/Y 23/24.

The last to appear before the MPs today was Laisamis Technical Training Institute principal Charles K. Rotich,to respond to audit questions including lack of ownership documents for the institution’s two parcels of land donated by the community, and currently under trust of Marsabit County Government.

The MPs also questioned Rotich on the lack of an asset register, late submission of financial statements, and lack of an Audit Committee and internal Audit function.

The Principal was further taken to task to explain reported unapproved expenditures, resulting in underutilization of 37% of the 2023/24 Budget allocation.

“How do you spend public money without any accountability?” Asked Hon. Chiforomodo Mangale, MP (Lunga Lunga).

The Committee continues with its intense scrutiny of the reports of the Auditor General for various learning institutions across the country.