Maasai Mara University continues to grapple with audit issues, even under its new administration led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Peninnah Aloo Abudho.
The university recently appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PIC) on Education and Governance, chaired by Hon. Jack Wamboka, for the second time to address unresolved audit queries.
The university had previously struggled to provide necessary documentation to the auditor’s office and the Committee.
In the latest session, Prof. Abudho indicated that crucial documents are currently held by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), complicating the audit process.
One major concern highlighted by the Committee was the delay in the completion of a tuition block construction project, initially contracted for Kshs. 410,700,000.
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The project, which was set to begin on February 16, 2016, and end by February 16, 2019, faced significant delays. An extension of twelve months was granted, pushing the completion date to February 16, 2020.
This extension and additional costs raised red flags with the legislators.
The contract amount was revised to Kshs. 564,712,500, marking a 25% increase of Kshs. 154,012,500. This revision included additional work, such as the construction of staircases and roadworks.
Furthermore, the university engaged JKUAT Architectural School as project consultants at a cost of Kshs. 41,070,000, an increase from the revised contract sum, and procured through a direct method contrary to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA) 2015.
The Committee questioned the status of payment for JKUAT’s consultancy services, noting a lack of clarity on whether the payment had been made or was still outstanding.
Former Vice Chancellor Prof. Mary Walingo confirmed that JKUAT had not yet received payment from Maasai Mara University.
Prof. Aloo Abudho explained that all relevant documents to clarify these issues are with the DCI. The Committee, unsatisfied with the explanation regarding the significant cost escalation, has given the university and involved parties two weeks to provide a detailed justification for the increased expenditure.
The ongoing audit issues and delays in documentation highlight persistent challenges at Maasai Mara University, raising concerns about financial management and transparency within the institution.
