MPs want funds sent to private varsities since 2016 audited

Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance chairperson said previously the funds were not audited.

In Summary
  • In the financial year 2018/ 2019 the government disbursed Sh1.9 billion, Sh2.5 billion in 2019, Sh 2.7 billion in 2020, Sh 3.3 billion and Sh3.1 billion in 2022.

  • This brings the total funds sent to private universities to Sh13.7 billion which is set to be audited.

Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance Chair Wanami Wamboka in Parliament on May 4, 2023.
Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance Chair Wanami Wamboka in Parliament on May 4, 2023.
Image: LAURA SHATUMA

Lawmakers have revealed plans to audit funds sent to private universities as conditional grants since 2016.

The policy sought placement of government-sponsored students in private universities.

Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance chairperson Wanami Wamboka made the revelation when Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and other stakeholders in the higher education sector appeared before the committee.

“We ordered a special audit by the auditor general of private universities on the money the government gave them,” Wamboka said.

The committee chair explained that previously the funds were not audited.

This comes as the committee continues with the process of stopping the funding policy.

“Very soon we are going to table the resort and you will understand why we have been pushing you to take that decision,” he said.

In the financial year 2018/ 2019 the government disbursed Sh1.9 billion, Sh2.5 billion in 2019, Sh 2.7 billion in 2020, Sh 3.3 billion and Sh3.1 billion in 2022.

This brings the total funds sent to private universities to Sh13.7 billion which is set to be audited.

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