Universities and colleges have been directed to fully account for the use of public funds after Members of Parliament intensified scrutiny of education institutions through ongoing audit reviews.
The National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education (PIC-G&E) issued the directive while reviewing Auditor-General's reports covering the 2018/19 to 2024/25 financial years.
Committee members said accounting officers appearing before the committee must provide comprehensive responses to all audit queries and cooperate fully throughout the review process.
Kasipul MP Boyd Were stressed that accountability remains central to good governance and warned institutions against providing incomplete responses to audit concerns.
"The committee expects full cooperation from all accounting officers. Audit queries should be addressed comprehensively because accountability is at the heart of good governance," Were said.
Institutions Appearing Before the Committee
The committee heard submissions from several education institutions, including:
- Multimedia University
- Jomo Kenyatta Foundation
- Naivasha Technical and Vocational College
- Gilgil Technical and Vocational College
- Sot Technical Training Institute
- Gitwebe Technical Training Institute
Committee Chairperson and Luanda MP Dick Maungu said the Auditor-General's reports are intended to determine whether public resources have been spent lawfully and for their intended purposes.
He noted that institutions must explain any irregularities identified during audits and outline corrective measures where necessary.
"The Auditor-General's reports are not prepared in vain. They are meant to demonstrate whether public funds have been properly utilised. Where there are gaps, they must be explained and corrective measures taken," Maungu stated.
Focus on Accountability
The committee warned accounting officers against treating audit queries as a routine administrative exercise, maintaining that the reviews are an essential mechanism for promoting transparency and accountability.
MPs said they will continue examining the audit reports to determine whether universities and colleges complied with public finance management laws, procurement regulations, and other statutory requirements in handling taxpayers' money.
The latest directive comes as the government strengthens oversight of public institutions amid growing calls for prudent management of public resources.
