PIC Governance and Education urges learning institutions to be creative and self- sufficient

PIC Governance and Education urges learning institutions to be creative and self- sufficient

Wednesday, March 26,2025

Watchdog committee PIC Governance and Education chaired by Bumula Mp Hon. Wanami Wamboka held meetings with Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University and Kabete National Polytechnic for audit of their financial statements for the year ended 2022/23/24.

The JKUAT team led by their Vice Chancellor Prof. Wambu Victoria had an adverse opinion in its audit report. It was revealed that the university was technically insolvent.

Members called on the management to get creative, commercialise and invest heavily on research and also capitalise on the universities asset worth estimated at 25B to generate revenue and be self sufficient.

"JKUAT needs to leverage their technological capabilities from within the institution to increase their revenue." Hon. Bisau Kaikai

Hon. Francis Sigei advised the institution to put to use their vast land in Agriculture for farming and animal rearing or lease or engage on the PPP to maximize on its returns.

The reports also revealed gaps in contracts that have had providers breaching them. Member noted alot of weaknesses in the legal and procurement department that needs to be addressed with urgency.

There was also a matter of entertainment allowance given to officers illegally that and irregular acting allowance had the committee surgurging the officers involved to recover the money lost and they found the finance officer extremely incompetent.

JKUAT was also cautioned over engaging suppliers without funds with members saying this has led to alot of metal case issues due to depression because of the loans they took to do business. it has also led to closure of business and dent out economy.

Kenyatta University was however a different case. The Acting VC was on the spot for late submissions of their financial statements response to the office of the auditor general thus making it hard for the auditor to review the reports and brief members. A trend the Lawmakers noted needs to be curbed.

The committee sent the team away and have asked for a reappearance at a later date.

Lawmakers while meeting Kabete National Polytechnic noted that the institution had grown into a premier institution by taking steps to ensure they engage in meaningful economic development other than over relying on government funding.

Chairman Hon. Wamboka took time to acknowledge the institutions effort and added that the Principal needs to commended for the good job he has accomplished in the institution and called for other accounting officers to emulate Kabete National Polytechnic.