MPs fault Kenya School of Government over repeated audit lapses
By Cy Muganda, August 27, 2025Members of Parliament have expressed frustration with the Kenya School of Government (KSG) over persistent audit irregularities spanning five years, demanding accountability for recurring financial management gaps flagged by the Auditor-General.
In a statement posted on their Facebook account on August 26, 2025, Parliament announced that the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA), chaired by Navakholo constituency MP Emmanuel Wangwe, had confronted KSG management over audit concerns between the financial years 2017 and 2021.
“The recurring nature of these audit queries is unacceptable. KSG plays a central role in shaping our civil service, and its operations must be above reproach,” Wangwe said
Unsupported expenses
According to Parliament, legislators were concerned about unsupported general expenses worth Ksh8.8 million in the 2019 financial year, with payments lacking proper vouchers.
“While KSG maintained that documentation had since been submitted, the Auditor-General reported dissatisfaction and demanded further verification,” the statement noted.
The committee also highlighted unsupported receivables totalling more than Ksh1.1 billion and unexplained credit balances of Ksh104 million, which lacked proper backing.
“KSG cited its policy of an 11% general provision and ongoing reconciliations, but the Committee insisted on full disclosure,” Parliament stated.
The committee also flagged irregular payments of Ksh4 million in allowances to individuals not formally recognised as council members.
“While KSG argued that co-opted members were entitled to allowances, the Auditor-General insisted such payments contravened the law,” the statement detailed.
“‘Co-opted members should receive professional fees, not council allowances,’ the audit team emphasised,” Parliament added.
According to Parliament, the 2020 audit further revealed discrepancies in staff remittances amounting to Ksh2.3 million.
KSG defence
KSG Chief Executive Officer Prof. Nura Mohamed defended the institution, noting that it is migrating to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform to enhance efficiency and accountability.
“Defending the institution, KSG Chief Executive Officer Prof. Nura Mohamed explained: ‘Deductions are typically paid the following month, and relevant schedules are available,'” the statement reads.
However, unsupported expenditures on advertising, hospitality, accommodation, and security services totalling Ksh8 million raised additional concerns.
“KSG claimed the records had since been provided,” Parliament reported.
MPs also questioned KSG’s recruitment practices, noting that in 2020, the institution advertised 23 vacancies for only 15 days, below the 21-day minimum set by the Public Service Commission.
“KSG defended the move, saying its internal policy permits 14 days, but MPs called for alignment with PSC guidelines,” Parliament stated.
Other issues raised included persistent gaps in land ownership documentation, budget underspending of Ksh228.7 million in 2021—above the 10% cap allowed by law—delays in construction projects, motor vehicle insurance compensation disputes, and prolonged employment of casual workers.
“KSG management attributed some of the challenges to administrative hurdles during a transition to new systems,” the statement noted.
MPs’ demands
The committee gave KSG three weeks to submit all pending documentation, after which the Auditor-General will take one week to verify and report back to Parliament.
“Wangwe gave KSG three weeks to submit all pending documentation, after which the Auditor-General will take one week to verify and report back to Parliament,” the statement reads.
The Committee also welcomed a proposal by KSG to ring-fence national training budgets, to be allocated through the Ministry of Public Service under an agreed calendar.
“‘The message is clear. We expect timely compliance, full transparency, and strict adherence to financial law,” Wangwe stressed.