Members of Parliament have put Mama Ngina University College under scrutiny following audit findings that flagged irregular payments, unsupported allowances and gaps in documentation, raising concerns over accountability at the institution.
The concerns emerged during a sitting on Thursday of the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance, where lawmakers questioned former principal James Kungu over key decisions made while he was in charge.
At the centre of the session was the extension of Kungu’s acting role beyond the period allowed in law. The committee, chaired by Jack Wamboka, said an acting appointment should not exceed six months unless approval is granted by the Education Cabinet Secretary.
Members said the university had not provided any record to show that such approval was sought before the extension was effected.
“The law is very clear. Once the six months come to an end and you have not finished your assignment, you are supposed to seek the necessary approvals,” Wamboka said.
The committee directed Kungu to present evidence from the Cabinet Secretary confirming the extension by close of business, warning that failure to do so would raise concerns of misleading Parliament.
Lawmakers also examined Sh670,719 paid as car allowances to senior officers who used personal vehicles for official duties. The Auditor-General had flagged the payments as unsupported, noting that there was no clear framework showing how the rates were arrived at.
In response, principal Zipporah Ng’ang’a said the institution did not have enough official vehicles, forcing management to facilitate staff using their own cars.
However, the committee maintained that the issue was not the need for transport, but the absence of approved rates and proper documentation to support the payments.
“When you come before this committee, please take time to understand the audit queries. The issue is not whether they deserved the payment, but what basis was used.” Wamboka said.
Finance Manager Samuel Mwai told MPs that the rates applied were borrowed from Kenyatta University, which had supported the college during its early stages.
But the committee faulted the move, saying the university should have formally adopted its own rates instead of relying on another institution’s system without internal approval.
Further scrutiny was directed at Sh1.3 million paid out as secretariat allowances to selected staff. The Auditor-General termed the payments irregular, pointing out that the officers were already earning salaries, raising concerns of double payment.
University officials defended the payments, saying they were responsibility allowances for staff attached to the offices of the principal, deputy principal and council secretariat.
Wamboka, however, questioned the legal basis of the payments and asked the officials to cite the law that allows such allowances.
“In our considered opinion, this is irregular unless you show us the law supporting it,” he said.
The committee also looked into inconsistencies in financial records related to construction funds and receivables handled through Kenyatta University. Auditors highlighted a gap between Sh635.8 million reported as disbursed for construction works and Sh385.5 million recorded as received, leaving a large unexplained difference.
University officials disputed the figures, saying the actual amount received was Sh550 million. They attributed the variance to accounting reversals and unsupported vouchers in Kenyatta University’s records.
The committee directed finance teams from both institutions to reconcile the figures and submit proper documentation ahead of the next sitting.
Wamboka cautioned the officials against appearing before Parliament without adequate preparation, stressing the need for clear records and accountability in the use of public funds.
“We are a House of records. You must come here with facts, documents and legal backing for every expenditure of public funds,” he said.