An audit by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has flagged multiple irregularities at Garissa University, highlighting unapproved fee collection methods, prolonged acting leadership, and payroll management issues.
- Unapproved Fee Collection System:
- The university used mobile money to collect tuition fees, contravening its 2018 Fee Policy, which mandates payments through bank accounts.
- The auditor questioned the regularity of this practice, as the policy had not been updated to include mobile money.
- Leadership Lapses:
- The university operated without a substantive vice chancellor for six years since its charter in 2017.
- Acting vice chancellors were repeatedly appointed on six-month renewable contracts, breaching Section 35 of the University Act, 2012.
- Substantive appointments for deputy vice chancellors were also delayed due to court disputes.
- Acting Allowances Breach:
- Over Sh2.4 million in acting allowances were paid to officials over three years, violating public service rules that cap such payments at six months.
- Council Vacancy:
- A council member’s post, vacant since November 2022, remained unfilled, leaving the council improperly constituted.
- Payroll Management Concerns:
- Weak controls led to cases of shared tax PINs and identity card numbers among employees, raising doubts about the system’s effectiveness.
The auditor has called for adherence to statutory regulations and strengthened governance at the university.
