Audit exposes Sh19.5 billion land ownership gaps in public universities
One striking example is a mysterious farmer controlling around 2,000 acres of Egerton University land for maize farming, with “the beneficial owner not known and the value not disclosed,” the report notes.
Kenya’s public universities are facing a growing crisis over land and asset management, with billions of shillings worth of property left unprotected and vulnerable to illegal takeover.
A recent audit has revealed that several institutions hold land with no proper title deeds, lease agreements, or transfer documentation, leaving the ownership unclear and exposing them to squatters and unscrupulous developers.
More To Read
- Audit exposes Sh601 million mismanagement in political parties
- MPs order audit of JKUAT Enterprise over financial, governance gaps
- Schools face funding crisis as data errors stall disbursements
- Mounting debt could halt vital services at KNH, MTRH and KUTRRH - Nancy Gathungu
- Government releases Sh2.5 billion to avert nationwide strike by university lecturers
- Nairobi County wage bill skyrockets to Sh17.3 billion following mass hiring under Sakaja
One striking example is a mysterious farmer controlling around 2,000 acres of Egerton University land for maize farming, with “the beneficial owner not known and the value not disclosed,” the report notes.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu warned that such gaps in legal ownership are widespread, affecting at least 12 universities and assets valued at over Sh19.5 billion.
“Several institutions did not have title deeds, transfer documents, or other legal records to confirm ownership of land, buildings, or intellectual property reflected in their financial statements,” Gathungu said.
The audit highlights Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) as the most exposed, with land worth Sh16.6 billion still under the original owner’s name.
Parcel LR No 13538, in particular, has never been formally transferred to the university, raising questions about its legal status.
Kenyatta University reported 12.472 hectares valued at Sh123.3 million already encroached upon, while another piece worth Sh880,000 lacks ownership documents. South Eastern Kenya University also faces missing documentation for land and intellectual property, totalling Sh2 billion.
Other institutions are similarly affected: Turkana University College and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology each lack title deeds for land valued at Sh80 million.
Laikipia University has unverified records worth Sh547 million, and Murang’a University of Technology reported 18 parcels worth Sh54 million that have been encroached upon or “hived off” from the main estate.
The audit further exposes systemic weaknesses in asset governance. Kenyatta University allegedly spent Sh229 million on maintenance at its Kigali campus without supporting records, while continuing to use fully depreciated assets without revaluation.
The University of Nairobi leased land without approvals from the University Council, the Ministry of Education, or the National Treasury, violating public finance rules.
Meanwhile, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology and Garissa University rely on outdated ERP systems, reducing transparency and accountability.
Pwani University faces illegal encroachment on land worth Sh116.7 million with no eviction measures, and Koitaleel Samoei University College has yet to value buildings and land recorded at Sh535 million.
Top Stories Today
