Financial mismanagement has spread in Kenyan universities, where 10 institutions spent Sh3 billion without adequate documentation. Auditor General Nancy Gathungu stated that Sh2.8 billion was embezzled. The affected universities include Kenyatta, Moi, and Nairobi.
Financial mismanagement has permeated Kenyan universities, according to a report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu. Ten institutions spent Sh3 billion without any documentation showing how the funds were used, with Sh2.8 billion embezzled.
The universities involved are Kenyatta University, Moi University, University of Nairobi, Kabianga University, Egerton University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Murang’a University of Technology, Maasai Mara University, Technical University of Kenya (TUK), and Technical University of Mombasa (TUM). The fiscal year 2024 report highlights specific instances of mismanagement.
For instance, Egerton University in Nakuru County spent Sh6.3 million paying rent to two landlords without any contract with the institution. Murang’a University spent Sh786,060 on air and road travel allowances for board members.
At the University of Nairobi, Sh1.78 billion was used for housing, food, and casual labor payments without documentation. The report states: “The university failed to provide supporting documents for expenditure of Sh133.9 million, Sh662,662 used by the university council, and Sh1.64 billion paid to casual laborers.”
Kabianga University paid Sh22.5 million to Telkom Company for leasing their land without proper evidence of the agreement. This corruption has taken root in these universities, and the auditor has complained about the lack of accountability.