Public universities are under renewed scrutiny after a detailed audit revealed billions of shillings in questionable spending, exposing weaknesses in financial management and oversight.
The review shows that poor governance, missing records, and irregular approvals have put over Sh3 billion of taxpayers’ money at risk, even as institutions grapple with growing budget pressures.
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu’s report highlights gaps in financial controls and accountability across ten public universities, including Kenyatta University, Moi University, University of Nairobi, University of Kabianga, Egerton University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Murang’a University of Technology, Maasai Mara University, Technical University of Kenya, and Technical University of Mombasa. Collectively, these universities spent Sh2.8 billion without providing adequate documentation.
At Egerton University, Sh6.3 million was paid in rent to two landlords without proper contracts, while Murang’a University of Technology spent Sh786,060 on air travel and mileage allowances for council members with no supporting records.
The University of Nairobi spent Sh1.78 billion on accommodation, catering, and payments to casual workers, but Sh133.9 million for catering and lodging, Sh662,662 by the council, and Sh1.64 billion to casual staff had no documentation.
University of Kabianga paid Sh22.5 million to lease land from Telkom Kenya Limited without valid agreements. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology spent Sh18 million on casual workers with no proof of recruitment and recorded unsupported costs of Sh278 million.
The Technical University of Kenya claimed Sh8.7 million for council meetings but submitted minutes for only four out of 14 special meetings.
The audit further uncovered irregular payments worth Sh268.99 million across 14 universities. These include excessive mileage claims, unsupported legal and security payments, direct allowances to police officers, and unlawful acting allowances.
Kenyatta University reimbursed Sh13.6 million in irregular mileage, Egerton University paid Sh12.2 million unlawfully to lawyers and police officers, and Maasai Mara University paid Sh26.2 million in acting allowances outside policy.
South Eastern Kenya University bought fuel worth Sh12.3 million without a proper contract, while Multi-Media University made unsupported payments for cleaning, security, and legal services. The University of Nairobi had Sh13.9 million paid irregularly in acting allowances and legal fees.
Koitalel Samoei University College spent Sh3.8 million on airfare, retreats, and allowances with no proper records. Turkana University College paid Sh1.42 million to non-teaching staff acting as part-time lecturers during working hours.
Other institutions, including Alupe University College, Garissa University, Machakos University, Taita Taveta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and University of Kabianga, collectively made irregular payments totaling Sh144 million.
Procurement breaches totaling Sh1.34 billion were also uncovered. Contracts were awarded without proper documentation, purchases were made outside approved plans, and required e-procurement systems were not used.
The University of Nairobi recorded Sh727.3 million in procurement violations, followed by University of Kabianga at Sh355.3 million and Kenyatta University at Sh53.1 million.
The report paints a worrying picture of financial mismanagement in public universities, raising urgent questions on accountability and the safeguarding of public resources.
