MPs Fine Laikipia University VC Sh500,000 Over Audit Queries

Laikipia University Vice Chancellor Joseph Kibet Rotich has been fined Sh500,000 for failing to respond to audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor General.

The fine was issued by the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education during a series of sessions held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The Committee, chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, has expressed growing concern over universities and colleges using delayed funding from the National Treasury as an excuse for poor accountability.

While some institutions like Tharaka University satisfactorily addressed their audit queries, Laikipia University was faulted for failing to provide any responses to the Auditor General’s 2021/2022 report. Committee Chair Wamboka, citing Standing Order 191(a), ordered the Vice Chancellor to personally pay a Sh500,000 fine and submit the banker’s cheque to the Clerk of the National Assembly within two weeks.

The Committee also grilled Konoin Technical Training Institute Principal Wesley Sigei, who failed to properly address several audit issues. These included unsupported investment of Sh4 million in a SACCO, irregular board allowances, lack of an internal auditor, weak IT systems, and ethnic imbalance in staffing. The MPs criticized the principal for being unprepared and granted him more time to appear again.

“You have an incompetent accounting officer, or the incompetency lies in the management for failing to understand the issues before this Committee,” said Hon. Kakai Bisau.

In the third session, Kasarani Technical and Vocational Training College Principal Josephine Begi faced tough questions on financial statement inaccuracies, irregular procurement of property, unsupported board remuneration, and lack of land ownership documents.

In the afternoon session, Bumbe Technical Training Institute Principal Celestus Wanjala Omilo appeared before the committee. Although he has been in office for less than a year, Omilo struggled to respond to the audit issues, prompting the committee to summon his predecessor who retired last year. The institute was flagged for unsecured bank loans, weak budgetary controls, unsupported payments to board members, and questionable use of goods and services.

Musakasa Technical Training Institute Principal Moses Kiiza Sakwa was the last to appear. Despite a few unresolved audit issues, MPs praised the institution for its strong financial management and innovative income-generating strategies.