By PSCU
The Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance has cautioned the managements of institutions of higher learning that they risk heavy penalties should the ongoing breach of audit rules persist.
The members of Committee chaired by Bumula lawmaker, Jack Wamboka raised alarm of the breach pattern exhibited by institutions during a consultative meeting with Maasai Mara and Tharaka University college to review the report of the Auditor General on their financial statements.
As the committee scrutinized the financial statements of Maasai Mara Technical Vocational College, it emerged that the institution had made irregular payment to trainers who are neither licensed nor registered to a tune of KSh3,388,385.
The Principal James B. Kinara was also put on the spot over a board allowance payment, in which the chair pocketed KSh10,000 with other members taking home KSh8,000, yet the rates had not been approved by the Cabinet Secretary.
Kinara in an attempt to justify the payment, said that they had since written to the ministry seeking approval.
However, members not convinced sought to know why the principal had not sought for the approvals before paying the allowance.
The audit report in relation to the financial statements of Tharaka University revealed irregular appointment of University Council for the position of a financial expert, who lacked the requisite expertise in financial management , accounting and membership to a professional body.
Further review also revealed gross under-expenditure of KSh83,443,092 with the university having spent KSh268,683,089 out of the allocated budget of KSh352,126,187.
The VC Prof Peter Muriungi in his response argued that the university was implementing its first independent budget in that financial year and most of the operational areas were being set up hence the low absorption of funds.
Members of the committee voiced concerns over the delayed submissions of documents for audit and cautioned management of institutions to observe the audit cycle and desist from breaching the law.
Similar Posts by Mt Kenya Times:
- The republic belongs to us: why active citizenship is Kenya’s only antidote to impunity and broken governance
- Optiven CEO George Wachiuri launches mentorship programme cohort
- Ruto pushes Coast transformation with land, development drive
- KTDA celebrates farmers on International Tea Day
- Eng Wangai Ndirangu pushes for Nyeri leather industry