Nairobi – Members of the Congress are seeking a special forensic audit at the Kenya Institute of Technology (TUK), citing worsening financial difficulties that have caused paralysis and disrupted learning at the facility.
The National Assembly Public Investment Committee on Governance and Education, chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, has directed the Auditor to conduct an audit covering the period from 2013 to date and submit a report within three months.
“There’s more to look at eye-opening. The committee has directed that a forensic audit (BE) will be conducted within three months of 2013,” Wanboka said.
The Tuk financial crisis is swirling with stakeholders seeking emergency government intervention to address the instability that has left staff unpaid.
Documents were submitted before the committee outlined various challenges facing the university workforce, including delays in pay, endless statutory deductions and collapse of the institutional pension system.
Appearing before the committee, former deputy prime minister Francis Oduol explained that since the university achieved its charter, it has faced chronic financial constraints that have deteriorated over time.
DUC model has been criticized
Oduol argues that this situation is partly attributable to a differentiated unit cost financing model, which increases the financial burden on public universities.
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“We’ve been through financial difficulties since 2013. We’ve never paid the legal deduction in full. What we had was a partial payment plan,” Oduol said.
However, the committee chair rejected this explanation and noted that the funding model applies to all public universities.
“We have 66 universities. The differentiated unit price funding model is not unique to TUK. If it’s about the model, all institutions will be in crisis. That’s not the only reason,” Wanboka said.
The Audit General’s report flagged TUK, which received the charter in 2013. As of June 30, 2024, the university’s pending bill reached Sh11 billion.
Deputy Prime Minister Benedict Mutua told the committee that the agency is struggling under the 3.4 billion wage bill.
“The first step we are taking is streamlining staff within each department by reviewing teacher-student ratios. We are looking at 3.4 billion wage bills that we are working on reducing,” he pointed out.
Wanboka said the committee will summon officials from the Ministry of Education and TUK Management to deliberate in a sustainable manner.
“We will issue an order after our meeting with the Ministry of Education on how the university should be implemented. Given the current situation, TUK has no academic excellence,” he concluded.
