Ex-KU Vice Chancellors Summoned Over Alleged Sh6.2 Billion Project Funds Loss
News Updated: 01 July 2026 15:59 EAT
Photo courtesy : The Kenyatta University main entrance
Former Kenyatta University Vice Chancellors Prof. Olive Mugenda and Prof. Paul Wainaina have been summoned to appear before the National Assembly's Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Governance and Education to answer questions over the alleged loss and management of Sh6.2 billion in university project funds.
The summons is part of Parliament's oversight of public expenditure following concerns raised in audit reports on the implementation of capital projects at the university. The committee is expected to examine how funds allocated for development projects were utilised and whether they delivered value for money.
Members of the committee will seek explanations on expenditure related to several infrastructure projects, including those reported to have stalled despite receiving significant public funding. The inquiry will also examine whether procurement procedures and financial management laws were adhered to during project implementation.
The alleged Sh6.2 billion under scrutiny relates to development projects undertaken during different financial years when the two former vice chancellors served as the university's accounting officers. Parliament is seeking to establish responsibility for decisions made during their respective tenures.
The Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education is mandated to examine reports of the Auditor-General relating to public universities, State corporations and other government-funded institutions. The committee may summon current and former public officials to explain audit queries and financial decisions.
The latest summons follows previous parliamentary inquiries into Kenyatta University's financial management, where legislators raised concerns over delayed completion of infrastructure projects, cost escalations and stalled developments that remained incomplete years after construction began.
During an earlier appearance before the committee, Prof. Olive Mugenda maintained that audit queries covering the 2018/19 to 2020/21 financial years fell outside her tenure as vice chancellor. She told MPs that she had already left office when the financial years under review commenced.
Mugenda argued that officials who remained at the university after her departure, including those in finance, procurement and architecture departments, were better placed to explain the progress and status of projects questioned by auditors.
Prof. Paul Wainaina, who succeeded Mugenda as vice chancellor, has previously appeared before parliamentary committees to respond to governance and financial management issues affecting Kenyatta University. He is expected to provide further explanations regarding the projects cited in the latest inquiry.
The committee is also expected to establish whether funds allocated to the projects were spent in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act. Legislators will review supporting documents, contracts and implementation records.
Should the committee establish evidence of financial irregularities or loss of public funds, it may recommend administrative action, recovery of funds or referral of the matter to investigative agencies for further action.
Parliament has intensified scrutiny of public universities in recent years following recurring audit findings highlighting stalled projects, pending bills, weak contract management and delayed implementation of development programmes funded by taxpayers.
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FELIX MAKONA
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