Ineptitude Ailing The Education Sector, Parliamentary Committee Says
Committee chairman Jack Wamboka
By PSCU
Worth Noting:
- This, the committee noted, was in breach of Section 34 of the Public Service Commission Act, 2017, specifically Section 34(3) which stipulates that public officers may be appointed in an acting capacity for a period of at least thirty days, but not exceeding a period of six months.
- Unable to offer satisfactory responses, Prof. Cheruyoit was sent packing and asked to reappear again before the Committee accompanied by the his predecessor and the entire University Council to shed light on circumstances leading to the blatant breach of law.
- Turning to the management of Aldai Technical Training Institute, the lawmakers noted that a review of their financial report had returned adverse opinions. The report had also uncovered that the institution lacked qualified officers while most of the positions had been designed to fit specific people.
Members of the Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Education and Governance have expressed their disappointment over utter breach of law by institution heads.
The lawmakers, led by their chairman who is Bumula MP Jack Wamboka
also noted with concern the high number of unqualified and incompetent officers managing these institutions, thus churning out ill-equipped professionals for the job market.
“The calibre of graduates and professionals currently flooding our Kenyan job market are no longer ‘creme de la crème’. We have have resulted to producing incapacited officers due to the poor management of our institutions,” Bisau Kaikai pointed out.
The Eldoret University Vice Chancellor, who just clocked one year in office, Prof. Thomas Cheruyoit had a difficult time explaining why the Finance Officer and the Ag Registrar Administration have been acting for a period of ten years and six years respectively.
This, the committee noted, was in breach of Section 34 of the Public Service Commission Act, 2017, specifically Section 34(3) which stipulates that public officers may be appointed in an acting capacity for a period of at least thirty days, but not exceeding a period of six months.
Unable to offer satisfactory responses, Prof. Cheruyoit was sent packing and asked to reappear again before the Committee accompanied by the his predecessor and the entire University Council to shed light on circumstances leading to the blatant breach of law.
Turning to the management of Aldai Technical Training Institute, the lawmakers noted that a review of their financial report had returned adverse opinions. The report had also uncovered that the institution lacked qualified officers while most of the positions had been designed to fit specific people.
They sought an explanation as to why as at 2018, the institution did not have an ISPAK registered accountant in office. Further, the Committee observed that the current finance manager then possessed a CPA-4 qualification contrary to the required of qualification of CPA-K for such a position.
Members found the officer to be unfit to serve in the office, undertaking to recommend in their report that the matter be taken up by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for further probing. This was after a further review revealed an unexplained variance of 30 Million which was commissioned by a Mr. Peter Saggas.
Following a further scrutiny of the report, the Committee also noted that all newly recruited personnel were from the same community contrary to section7(1) and (2) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008.
The Principal, Mrs Sallie Lukuyu was directed to carry out affirmative strategies to ensure that the matter is addressed and the institution carries the face of Kenya.
Later, the committee engaged with the current and former Principals of Kajiado West Vocational Training Institute over the audit matters attributed to them.
The former Principal Dr. Lumumba Achieng was put to task over a payment made to him of KSh182,000 for meals and accommodation for the period starting from 1 February, 2018 to 28 February, 2018, whose basis and authority was not provided.
Dr. Lumumba in his defense made an attempt to explain that it was a way of cost cutting. However the Committee adamant on the illegality committed by the principal, stated that they would make a recommendation on the penalty in their report to the House later.
Further, Members sought to know the circumstances under which the College had entered into a contract with a local company for the proposed erection and completion of a twin workshop, classrooms and office blocks (2-storey) for the proposed Langata Technical and Vocational College – Nairobi County (Langata Constituency) vide tender No.MoE-VTT/TVET/22/2018-2019 for dated 23 May, 2019 at a contract sum of KSh56,828,963.
The contract was to commence on 12 June, 2019 for a period of 52 weeks. The contract period was expected run from 12 June, 2019 to 12 June, 2020 with a revised completion time of February, 7, 2021.
However, the site status report dated 19 October, 2021 from the Resident Engineer indicated that the project’s overall status is 65 per cent complete.
The committee also flagged the irregular procurement of construction works of the college kitchen and dining area. An analysis of the payment documents and project file provided revealed that there was neither an approved budget, a procurement plan, nor board minutes authorizing the commencement of the project.
The committee resolved to invite the principal, Dr. Jane M’Ringera to provide all relevant information and cautioned the Principal and Board of Governors to adhere to Public Procurement and Disposal Act (PPADA) 2015 and its regulations.
The Management of Kajiado East Vocational and Training Institute was sent back for late submission of their report to the auditors with directions to reappear before the Committee in two weeks.
“It is this Committee’s duty to streamline the Education industry and we are going after all rogue , incompetent and unqualified officers. We will remain committed to ensuring the education sector is back to its towering position”, pledged Wamboka
At the same time, the members have also cautioned officers from the office of the Auditor General against coaching heads of institutions set to appear before the committee.
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