Nyanza Varsity And TVET Heads Charged With Public Funds Lost By MPs

Nyanza Varsity And TVET Heads Charged With Public Funds Lost By MPs

Nyanza Varsity And TVET Heads Charged With Public Funds Lost By MPs. In a significant development, the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Education has taken decisive action against several universities and technical training institutions in Nyanza over mismanagement of public funds. The committee, led by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, has proposed financial surcharges for various accounting officers, including chief executive officers, principals, and directors general, who failed to justify expenditures. This article delves into the details of the charges, the institutions involved, and the implications of these findings.

Overview Of The Charges

The Public Investments Committee’s review revealed substantial financial irregularities across several institutions. The scrutiny focused on the handling of funds, with several institutions failing to meet the necessary financial oversight and accountability standards. The committee’s report, which requires plenary approval, highlights significant lapses in financial management.

Jaramogi University

Jaramogi University’s Vice Chancellor faces a surcharge of Sh55,250. This amount was irregularly paid to an officer involved in preparing data for the Commission for University Education. The payment, made within the university precinct, was deemed unjustified, leading to the surcharge.

Kisumu Polytechnic

Kisumu Polytechnic is at the center of several financial controversies:

  • Principal’s Surcharge: The principal faces a surcharge exceeding Sh2 million for irregular payments made to casual workers, as identified by auditors.
  • Unaccounted Imprest: An additional Sh37,800 is to be paid for unaccounted imprest given to staffers.
  • Procurement Irregularities: The procurement officer is surcharged more than Sh600,000 for procurement irregularities, while the finance officer faces Sh499,370 for discrepancies in the purchase of sports items, repairs, and pharmaceuticals.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu concluded that Kisumu Polytechnic was in breach of the law, and the financial mismanagement compromised the value received from procured goods.

Kisumu Polytechnic Council

The Kisumu Polytechnic Council is also under scrutiny. Members face a surcharge for unauthorized expenditures amounting to Sh14 million, attributed to holding 20 meetings beyond the allowed maximum of six. Additionally, council members face a surcharge of Sh1.1 million for overpayment of allowances without justification.

Ugenya Technical Institute

The Public Investments Committee flagged Ugenya Technical Institute for numerous errors in its financial statements. The accounting officer was cited for negligence and incompetence, leading to proposed surcharges.

Maseno University And Omuga Technical College

At Maseno University, the accounting officer and directors of finance and procurement are criticized for incompetence in computer purchases. Omuga Technical College also faced criticism for numerous financial errors, demonstrating a lack of seriousness and competence by the management and accounting team.

Seme Technical College

The finance team at Seme Technical College was judged as incompetent for failing to reconcile and explain financial variances adequately.

Nyakach Technical And Vocational College

The accounting officer of Nyakach Technical and Vocational College faces a surcharge of Sh297,500 for irregular board allowances payments, deemed as mismanagement or embezzlement of funds.

Siaya Institute Of Technology

Errors in financial statements at Siaya Institute of Technology have been linked to the finance officer, creating a loophole for embezzlement. The committee found the finance officer unfit for office.

Keroka TVC

The accounting officer at Keroka Technical Vocational College (TVC) was found non-compliant with the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act, 2012, and Public Audit Act, 2015. The committee reprimanded the officer for negligence in adhering to legal requirements.

Ramogi Institute Of Advanced Technology

Board members at Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology face a surcharge of Sh303,900 for taxes not deducted from their allowances, along with an additional Sh711,778 spent irregularly in the year ending June 30, 2020.

General Findings

The report highlights widespread issues of fund mismanagement and incompetence across the institutions. Several accounting officers were found ignorant of or non-compliant with legal provisions, and audit queries from as far back as the 2018-19 financial year remained unaddressed until the committee’s intervention. Additionally, expensive consultancy costs and delays in construction projects were noted as contributing factors to the financial mismanagement.

Conclusion

The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Education has underscored the critical need for financial accountability and effective management within educational institutions. The proposed surcharges and recommendations aim to address the financial mismanagement and reinforce adherence to legal and regulatory standards. The committee’s findings reflect broader issues in public financial management and highlight the need for stringent oversight and reforms to prevent future mismanagement.

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