Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Vice-Chancellor Victoria Ngumi on Wednesday faced a tough time before the National Assembly over financial mismanagement at the institution, including the irregular awarding of entertainment allowances to some staff.
Among the questions Ngumi struggled to answer, alongside her team of finance officers from the university, were reports of awarding Ksh2 million to individual staff members for entertainment allowances.
Lawmakers heard that the payments were made between the University Council and the staff union without approval from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The National Assembly Committee on Public Investments, Governance, and Education, led by Jack Wamboka, further flagged several cases of financial mismanagement.
In their defence, the management of the university, led by Vice-Chancellor Ngumi, told the lawmakers that it was true the money had been paid to the staff.
However, she maintained that the allowances were a negotiated item between the University Council and the staff union.
“Entertainment allowance at the university is a negotiated item between the University Council and the unions. It is not everybody who gets it; those who are in the CBA get it, and it can be up to the tune of Ksh 2 million,” Ngumi stated.
However, when pressed by lawmakers to confirm whether the payment had received official approval, the Chief Finance Officer admitted that it had not.
The committee demanded the removal of JKUAT’s Chief Finance Officer and Head of Procurement, citing negligence that had led to the wastage of public funds.
In response to the call for their removal, Wamboka, the chairperson of the committee, revealed that they had resolved to present the matter on the floor of the National Assembly when sittings resume.
“This is gross and quite unprecedented, honourable members. We find the two not fit to hold public office, and we will be moving to seek approval from the floor of the House. Once that happens, we do not think they will have any space,” Wamboka warned.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers urged the management to adopt innovative strategies, commercialize research, and leverage the university’s assets, estimated at Ksh25 billion, to generate revenue and achieve self-sufficiency.
“JKUAT needs to leverage its technological capabilities from within the institution to increase its revenue,” stated Bisau Kaikai.
Francis Sigei advised the institution to utilize its vast land for agriculture, including farming and animal rearing, or explore leasing options and engage in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to maximize returns.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE