Parliament has put a spotlight on accountability within public learning institutions after a series of heated sessions where lawmakers flagged major financial irregularities and record-keeping failures across several technical colleges and universities.

In a statement issued on Facebook by Parliament on Thursday, November 4, 2025, the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, chaired by Wanami Wamboka, issued a KSh 500,000 fine to a procurement officer at Ziwa Technical Training Institute and questioned the competence of its long-serving finance officer following a trail of disturbing audit gaps.

“The National Assembly, Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has issued a KSh 500,000 fine to a procurement officer and sharply questioned the competency of a long-serving Finance Officer at Ziwa Technical Training Institute,” the statement reads

The Committee said its work is centred on protecting taxpayers by tightening oversight in institutions funded by public resources.

“The Hon. Wanami Wamboka-led committee is devoted to ensuring audit compliance within institutions of higher learning while safeguarding taxpayers’ money,” the statement reads

Lawmakers grilled Ziwa TTI leadership over missing financial statements for the 2017/2018 audit cycle, rejecting explanations that the documents got lost following the deaths of two former principals. MPs reminded the institution that deaths do not erase institutional responsibility or interrupt record-keeping.

They also flagged an M-Pesa overdrawing of KSh 9 million, repeated failures to produce evidence for expenditures, and long-term weaknesses that the finance officer had not addressed despite many years in office. The procurement officer was fined for submitting misleading information in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025.

“Legislators pressed Ziwa Technical Training Institute management over missing financial statements. Members further flagged an Mpesa overdrawing of KSh 9 million and recurring failures to supply audit evidence,” the statement reads

Beyond Ziwa TTI, the Committee also summoned Maasai Mara Technical & Vocational College to reappear after showing up without key officers linked to unresolved audit queries.

At Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology (MMUST), MPs raised concern over student debtor balances exceeding Ksh 800 million, including Ksh 464 million owed by postgraduate students inactive for over seven years. Lawmakers asked management to fast-track the MMUST–HELB Revolving Fund before December 31, 2025.

Other institutions, including Matili Technical Training Institute and the School Equipment Production Unit, were warned over poor documentation, weak debt collection efforts, and unresolved land disputes involving public property.

“The Committee has urged institution heads to embrace accountability, reinforce transparency and safeguard the prudent use of public resources as a non-negotiable standard of public service,” the statement reads