MPs question Moi University over Sh7 million gate and stalled multi-million projects
The Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education criticised the university’s management for launching multiple projects without completing existing ones, terming it a wastage of public funds.
Moi University is under renewed scrutiny after MPs questioned the Sh7 million spent on its main gate, which has been under construction for years but is already showing cracks before completion.
The Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education criticised the university’s management for launching multiple projects without completing existing ones, terming it a wastage of public funds.
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During an inspection tour led by Chairperson Wanami Wamboka, MPs raised concerns over stalled multi-million projects and the poor state of existing facilities, pointing to deeper governance and accountability problems at the Eldoret-based institution.
Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Kiplagat Kotut and his team were pressed to explain why many projects remained incomplete despite funds being spent and deadlines being missed.
Committee members noted the dilapidated state of key facilities, including the Margaret Thatcher Library and student hostels, which lacked basics such as lighting.
“A school is as good as its management, and from what we’re seeing here today, the efficiency of Moi University management is very questionable,” Kuresoi South MP Joseph Tonui said.
Inflated cost
At the main gate, MPs questioned whether Sh7 million had truly been spent.
“It is very clear that the cost of this project was inflated. A simple look at the gate shows substandard work, with cracks already showing even before its completion,” Bomachoge Chache MP Alfah Miruka said.
The team also inspected the stalled multipurpose amphitheatre, which is only 40 per cent complete.
“The architectural design seems to have been well thought-out, but what happened to prioritising the most necessary projects first?” Lunga Lunga MP Chiforomodo Mangale asked.
Other abandoned projects included new hostels, the proposed School of Science and the Digital Innovation Centre, all below halfway done.
“The Committee notes with concern that the school has many running projects that have all stalled, and we must emphasise the need to channel resources to complete one project before embarking on others since this leads to wastage of public resources,” Wamboka said.
Hostels deplorable condition
The MPs also visited student hostels and described their condition as deplorable.
“Something like fire extinguishers and light bulbs are basics that need to be part of these hostels,” Narok MP Rebecca Tonkei said. “Are the students even safe on these dimly lit corridors?”
Staff quarters were also found largely uninhabitable, with many lying vacant due to a lack of renovation.
“We really urge the management to take charge and ensure that the facilities at this institution are in a usable condition to its clients, who are the students and staff,” Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje said.
In response, Prof Kotut said the university was working on improvements and appealed for government support.
“We are on the verge of making improvements to help Moi University regain its lost glory,” he said.
The committee concluded that Moi University’s challenges mirror governance struggles across public universities, where stalled projects, mismanagement and weak oversight undermine learning and service delivery.
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