(Garissa) – A recent audit report has highlighted multiple administrative lapses at Garissa University, including unauthorized use of mobile money for tuition fee payments and operating without a substantive vice chancellor for six years. The findings raise questions about governance and compliance with established regulations.
The Auditor General, Nancy Gathungu, criticized the university for accepting student fees through mobile money, which is not sanctioned under the institution’s 2018 Fee Policy. Universities in Kenya typically require fees to be paid through bank accounts. According to the report, Garissa University’s management had not revised the Fee Policy to allow mobile money transactions, casting doubt on the regularity of the system.
The audit, covering the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, also revealed that the university had been functioning without a permanent vice chancellor since it was granted its charter on October 23, 2017. The Cabinet Secretary for Education had repeatedly extended six-month acting appointments for the vice chancellor, which the Auditor General deemed a violation of Section 35 of the Universities Act, 2012.
The report further noted that deputy vice-chancellor positions had similarly been left unfilled. Although advertisements for the roles were published in July 2019, and interviews were conducted later that year, the recruitment process was stalled by court orders. As of February 2024, the matter was still unresolved in court.
The lack of substantive leadership at the university has led to additional complications. For instance, acting allowances totaling KSh 2.4 million were paid to the acting vice chancellor and acting deputy vice-chancellors over a three-year period. This violated the Public Service Human Resource Policies and Procedures of 2016, which limit acting allowances to a maximum of six months.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education has also faced scrutiny for failing to appoint council members to replace those whose terms expired. One such position has remained vacant since November 8, 2022, leaving the university council improperly constituted, a further breach of the law.
Garissa University has since taken steps to address some of the concerns raised. In March 2024, the university advertised the vice chancellor position, and interviews were conducted in July 2024. The institution appointed Osman Warfa as the substantive vice chancellor in October 2024. However, the Auditor General’s report has questioned past governance practices, including irregularities in payroll management, which revealed cases of employees sharing tax PINs and identity card numbers, indicating weak internal controls.
The audit underscores the urgent need for adherence to legal frameworks and robust governance mechanisms to ensure the university’s effective management and compliance with public service policies.
Table: Key Audit Findings at Garissa University
| Issue | Details | Policy/Regulation Breached |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Money Fee Collection | Fees collected via mobile money despite no policy provision. | Fee Policy 2018 |
| Lack of Permanent Vice Chancellor | No substantive VC from 2017 to 2024. | Universities Act, 2012 (Section 35) |
| Acting Allowances | KSh 2.4M paid for over three years, exceeding six-month limit. | Public Service Human Resource Policies, 2016 |
| Council Member Vacancy | Position vacant since November 2022, council improperly constituted. | Universities Act, 2012 |
| Payroll Irregularities | Employees with shared tax PINs and ID numbers, indicating weak controls. | Internal Payroll Management Standards |