Former Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Professor Olive Mugenda and Professor Paul Wainaina have been summoned by the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education to explain audit queries.
The summons by the National Assembly follows audit queries arising from a special investigation that uncovered a possible loss of Sh6.2 billion at the institution.
According to the National Assembly, the lawmakers examined the special audit report on the university’s finances covering the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 financial years, citing issues tracing back to earlier financial periods.
Committee Chairperson and Luanda MP Dick Maungu further emphasized that the audit issues stretch back to the 2014/2015 financial year.
“The issues being tackled relate to 2014/2015 onwards, and it would be unfair to expect the current acting Vice Chancellor to answer for matters he neither handled nor has institutional memory of,” Committee chairperson Dick Maungu explained, giving the reason for the summoning of the former Kenyatta University Vice Chancellors.
Olive Mugenda and Paul Wainaina on the spot
The parliamentary committee directed that Olive Mugenda and her successor, Paul Wainaina, appear before it alongside Acting Vice Chancellor Professor John Okumu.
In addition, the lawmakers argued that the current Vice Chancellor John Okumu, who assumed office long after many of the transactions occurred, could not adequately answer questions regarding decisions made by previous administrations.
Members of the committee expressed concern over the scale of the alleged financial irregularities and warned that anyone found responsible would face the consequences of their actions.
Narok Woman Representative Rebecca Tonkei argued that the KSh 6 billion under scrutiny was too substantial to be addressed without hearing directly from the university’s VCs.
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Kigali Campus Expenditure
One of the key issues attracting committee attention is the establishment and operation of Kenyatta University’s Kigali campus in Rwanda.
Kigali campus in Rwanda was among Kenyatta University’s regional expansion projects.
Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima cited findings from an earlier parliamentary inspection visit to the facility, questioning the expenditure of over Sh300 million on the project.
According to the National Assembly, the Kigali Campus was under a forensic audit due to concerns about the campus expenditure.
The 2023 evidence from the National Assembly Public Investments Committee indicated that Kenyatta University had spent Sh420.7 million on acquiring and establishing the Kigali campus.
Additionally, Professor Olive spent an additional Sh98 million on the project before the campus was eventually shut down, bringing the total to KSh 518.7 million.
Mugenda, however, defended the acquisition process, stating that the properties were valued by both the Government of Rwanda and an independent private valuer before purchase.
Kenyatta University Under Mugenda and Wainaina
Professor Olive Mugenda led Kenyatta University from 2006 to 2016, a period marked by rapid growth in enrolment, infrastructure and academic programs.
Her tenure included major investments, including the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH).
KUTRRH, however, faced a dispute case after it was transformed into a state corporation under the Ministry of Health.
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Wainaina’s Tenure
After the exit of Professor Olive, Professor Wainaina took over in 2016 with the university facing growing financial and operational pressures.
His administration had to manage ongoing projects, funding gaps, and audit concerns related to procurement, stalled developments, and expenditure management.
In 2022, during a public dispute with the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta over university land, Wainaina opposed the move, arguing that university property could not be surrendered without proper legal and governance procedures.
According to the former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, the government sought to acquire part of Kenyatta University’s land to construct a World Health Organization regional hub and other public projects.
Following the disagreement, Wainaina was suspended from office, triggering protests from sections of the university community and national debate on university autonomy and government interference.
KU under Ruto’s Administration
After President William Ruto assumed office in 2022, his administration backed Wainaina’s argument, emphasizing that the university’s assets should be protected.
Following court interventions and changes in government, Wainaina was reinstated as Vice Chancellor under the leadership of President Ruto.
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