CS Machogu Summoned Regarding Improper Disbursement of Ksh. 883M to Private Universities
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has been summoned by Members of Parliament to address concerns regarding the irregular disbursement of Ksh. 883.3 million to government-sponsored students in private universities over the past seven years.
The summons follow a special audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, which identified numerous irregularities in the program since its inception. The audit recommends that 15 universities reimburse Ksh. 219 million, which they received irregularly from public funds.
Findings from the audit reveal that the government allocated over Ksh. 200 million for students who were not placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). Specifically, the report states, “Funds amounting to Ksh. 201,638,928 were disbursed to 4,521 non-bonafide GSS students in private universities as they were not placed by KUCCPS.” Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has urged private universities to refund the irregularly spent funds, stressing the importance of reimbursement. “The private universities should refund Ksh. 201,671,080 spent on students funded under GSS not placed by KUCCPS,” recommended Gathungu.
According to the audit report, Africa Nazarene University is required to refund Ksh. 47 million for 1,042 students who were not seconded by the KUCCPS. Daystar University is expected to repay Ksh. 57 million, while KCA will refund Ksh. 38,662,479, as per the Auditor General’s directive.
Great Lakes University, based in Kisumu, is set to recover Ksh. 3,745,653, while Kabarak will refund Ksh. 550,312. ILU, KeMU, Lukenya, Marist, Mount Kenya University, MUA, and Pioneer are also among the institutions listed for reimbursements, with specific amounts allocated accordingly. Similarly, Gathungu is calling for Scott University to repay Ksh. 3,325,662, St. Paul’s to refund Ksh. 12,312,650, and Umma to return Ksh. 22,242,518.
The demand for reimbursements follows a report presented to the National Assembly’s Public Investment Committee on Governance and Education, chaired by Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami. This report has prompted an official investigation into the matter.
According to the report, a sum of Ksh. 35,199,064 was improperly disbursed for 788 students who had already completed their studies across various universities. The investigation revealed that Ksh. 35 million in capitation funds was erroneously directed to graduates in eight universities during the relevant period. The report asserts, “In the circumstances, the eight private universities may have been overpaid by Ksh. 35,199,064 disbursed for students who had already completed their studies and graduated.”
