PIC GOVERNANCE AND EDUCATION WARNS HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS: AUDIT LAPSES WILL NOT BE CONDONED

PIC GOVERNANCE AND EDUCATION WARNS HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS: AUDIT LAPSES WILL NOT BE CONDONED

Thursday, February 19, 2026
Parliament Buildings

The Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Governance and Education, chaired by Hon. Wanami Wamboka (Bumula), has issued a stern warning to institutions of higher learning to take audit processes seriously, emphasizing that delayed responses, lack of proper appearance before the Committee, and weak leadership will not be tolerated. Legislators reiterated that such lapses ultimately undermine the service provided to students and the wider public.
Koitaleel Samoei University College management has been urged to make full use of a 100-acre property, noting that only 8 acres are currently cultivated with tea. Further, management was warned against persistent late submissions of audit evidence requested by the Office of the Auditor-General. An irregular procurement procedure was flagged where the lowest bidder had been asked to submit documents beyond the stipulated deadline, a practice the Committee called unacceptable.
Tharaka University, during a reappearance was instructed to address ethnic imbalances among staff and examine fiscal responsibility, following a report showing employee expenses exceeding the approved threshold by 3%. The Committee emphasized that equitable representation and prudent financial management are essential to fair and effective governance.
The Committee directed Kibabii University management to rectify ethnic imbalances, highlighting that of 413 employees, 312 belong to one dominant community. This inequity, the legislators noted, affects inclusivity and fairness within the institution.
In Alupe University, the Committee noted that the University Council had held 10 meetings when only 6 were approved. Officers involved in the extra meetings were surcharged, and two Council members were penalized for serving in more than two committees in contravention of the law. The Finance Officer was also reprimanded and surcharged for failing to advise the Council appropriately. Management was instructed to submit the ICT continuity plan, security plan and operational plan to address missing policy gaps. The Finance Officer was further directed to submit verifiable evidence supporting their claim of having provided the required audit documents, in light of discrepancies noted in the Auditor-General’s report. Any misrepresentation or false declaration regarding the submission of audit evidence will be subject to penalties under Section 62 of the Public Audit Act.
Kericho National Polytechnic (formerly Bureti Technical and Training Institute) with over 10,000 students on an 84-acre campus, was instructed to produce accurate financial statements following repeated irregularities. The Committee also flagged a 91% dominance of one ethnic group among staff and gave the institution two years to rectify this imbalance. Additionally, the Education Cabinet Secretary will be engaged on the absence of a constituted Council, which is undermining governance and effective administration.
“Institutions of higher learning must operate transparently and in the best interests of students and the nation. This Committee will continually address governance gaps, enforcing accountability and demand timely audit compliance,” stated Hon. Wamboka in his closing remarks.