The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) is facing renewed scrutiny from lawmakers following revelations of deep-rooted financial woes that have crippled operations and disrupted academic activities.
Members of Parliament sitting in the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education have called for a special forensic audit of the institution, citing worsening instability, unpaid staff, and ballooning debts.
The committee, chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, has directed the Auditor General to probe the university’s finances dating back to 2013 and deliver a comprehensive report within three months.
“There is more than meets the eye. The committee directs that a forensic audit be carried out within three months, starting from 2013,” Wamboka said.
Documents presented to the committee paint a grim picture of the university’s financial health. As of June 30, 2024, TUK’s pending bills had ballooned to Sh11 billion, with staff enduring months without salaries, statutory deductions remaining unremitted, and the institution’s pension scheme collapsing.
Appearing before the committee, former Vice Chancellor Francis Oduol blamed the dire financial state on the differentiated unit cost (DUC) funding model introduced in recent years.
“Since 2013, we’ve been experiencing financial difficulties. We have never fully paid the statutory deductions; what we’ve had is a partial payment plan,” Oduol said.
However, the committee chair dismissed the explanation, noting that the DUC model applies to all public universities.
“We have 66 universities. If it’s about the model, then all institutions would be in crisis. It cannot be the only reason,” Wamboka remarked.
Current Vice Chancellor Prof. Benedict Mutua acknowledged the dire situation and told MPs that the university is struggling to manage a Sh3.4 billion wage bill.
He revealed that the institution has started staff rationalization efforts aimed at cutting costs and adjusting the teacher-student ratio in various departments.
“The first step we are taking is staff rationalization. We’re working to reduce the wage bill,” Prof. Mutua said.
TUK, which was granted a university charter in 2013, now joins 23 other public universities flagged by the Auditor General as being in serious financial distress.
