Audit queries put Kenya School of Government under parliamentary spotlight

The Kenya School of Government has been put on the spot by the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) over repeated audit gaps flagged by the Auditor-General between the 2017 and 2021 financial years.

During a session chaired by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, the Committee questioned why the same irregularities had persisted for years, casting doubt on accountability and governance at the training institution.

“The recurring nature of these audit queries is unacceptable,” Wangwe said. “KSG plays a central role in shaping our civil service, and its operations must be above reproach.”

Among the issues raised were unsupported expenses worth Sh8.8 million in the 2019 financial year, with payments lacking vouchers. Although KSG said documentation had since been supplied, the Auditor-General remained dissatisfied and called for further verification.

Receivables of more than Sh1.1 billion and unexplained credit balances of Sh104 million also drew attention. KSG cited its policy of an 11 percent general provision and ongoing reconciliations, but the Committee insisted on a full breakdown.

Discrepancies in staff remittances amounting to Sh2.3 million were also highlighted in the 2020 audit.

KSG Chief Executive Officer Prof. Nura Mohamed explained: “Deductions are typically paid the following month, and relevant schedules are available.”

Concerns were also raised over unsupported expenditures on advertising, hospitality, accommodation, and security services totaling Sh8 million.

While KSG maintained that the records had since been provided, MPs questioned the reliability of the documentation.

The Committee further flagged irregular payments of Sh4 million in allowances to individuals not formally recognized as council members. KSG defended the payments, saying co-opted members were entitled to allowances, but the Auditor-General held that such payments were unlawful.

“Co-opted members should receive professional fees, not council allowances,” the audit team emphasized.

Recruitment practices came under scrutiny after KSG advertised 23 positions in 2020 but only kept the vacancies open for 15 days instead of the minimum 21 days required by the Public Service Commission.

The institution defended the move, citing its internal policy of 14 days, but MPs urged compliance with PSC standards.

Other issues included failure to provide complete land ownership documents, budget underspending of  Sh228.7 million in 2021, well above the 10 percent legal limit, delays in construction projects, unsettled motor vehicle insurance claims, and extended employment of casual workers.

KSG management attributed part of the shortcomings to administrative challenges during a transition to new systems.

Prof. Mohamed noted that the institution is adopting an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform to strengthen efficiency and accountability.

He also pointed out that revenue had increased from Sh1.7 billion to Sh2.1 billion in the 2023/24 financial year, with improvements in rent collection through payroll deductions and advance payments.

The Committee gave KSG three weeks to provide all pending documentation, after which the Auditor-General will have one week to verify the submissions before reporting back to Parliament.

MPs also welcomed a proposal by KSG to ring-fence national training budgets, to be managed through the Ministry of Public Service under an agreed calendar, a plan they said could help improve receivable management.

“The message is clear,” Wangwe said. “We expect timely compliance, full transparency, and strict adherence to financial law.”