House committee flags mismanagement, ethnic bias in universities and technical institutions
Vice Chancellors and Principals were summoned to explain the use of hundreds of millions on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that have not provided value.
A House committee has raised concerns over serious mismanagement and discrimination in public universities and technical institutions, calling for immediate reforms.
The National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Public Investments on Governance and Education, chaired by Jack Wamboka, expressed dissatisfaction with how taxpayer funds were being handled by learning institutions.
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Vice Chancellors and Principals were summoned to explain the use of hundreds of millions on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that have not provided value.
The committee heard that most ERP projects were failing due to poor selection of vendors and a lack of oversight. For example, the Commission for University Education (CUE) had received Sh45.7 million in 2018 for a management system.
However, despite Sh30.5 million already paid out, there was no clear evidence of progress, violating public procurement regulations.
CUE also failed to remit 90 per cent of its Sh80 million surplus as required by law, and Sh2.5 million was unaccounted for in a mortgage and car loan scheme, with no proper records explaining its purpose.
Kibabii University was faulted for employing 75 per cent of its 430 staff from a single ethnic community.
The committee said this went against the principles of national cohesion. The university was also criticised for using 64 per cent of its revenue on salaries, almost double the legal limit.
Meanwhile, Meru National Polytechnic faced questions over its payroll. The Auditor General flagged problems such as missing or repeated KRA PINs, strange birth dates, and over 140 suspicious employment contracts.
The school’s ERP system failed to correct payroll deductions, and management ignored audit recommendations.
Ongoing construction at Meru Polytechnic was also highlighted, with changes being made without approval and progress moving slowly.
MPs warned that principals who break procurement laws could be surcharged.
The committee sent away Kisii National Polytechnic, the Kenya School of Law, and the Council of Legal Education for failing to attend with all key officers. They were ordered to return with full compliance.
“The committee is committed to transparency, accountability and fairness in service delivery within the education sector,” Wamboka said.
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