Six national school principals in Kenya have been summoned to appear before the National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education on September 29, 2026. They will be required to explain financial and administrative issues raised in audit reports covering four years. The school heads are from Moi Forces Academy, Precious Blood Riruta, Nyeri High, Thika High, Our Lady of Mt Carmel Maryhill Girls, and Kahuhia Girls.
The committee, chaired by Luanda MP Dick Maungu, is examining Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu's reports for the financial years under review. The school accounting officers are expected to respond to various queries, including payments to the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), unsupported spending, and student records. The audit reports have raised concerns about extra levies charged to parents, school borrowing, procurement, textbook distribution, and weaknesses in financial controls.
The principals will have to explain differences between the number of learners recorded by their schools and the figures captured in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS). At Nyeri High, the principal will be questioned over a Sh542,700 payment made to KESSHA, a private welfare organisation whose membership is drawn from school principals. The Auditor-General described KESSHA as not covered by the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, and other regulations.
The committee was informed that KESSHA collects about Sh6 billion from high schools every year, money that is not under the Auditor-General's oversight. The organisation's financial management and internal control systems have not been assured to be effective, efficient, and transparent. Nyeri High will also have to explain why it lacks ownership documents for the 75 acres of land occupied by the school.
Moi Forces Academy faces questions over Sh5.2 million spent on infrastructure development without supporting documents. The Auditor-General said the expenditure was incurred despite not being included in the school's budget. The academy will further explain a Sh2 million transfer to KESSHA. Its management will also be questioned over student numbers after an audit found a difference between the figure contained in the school database and the number established through a physical count.
The appearance of the six school heads will give MPs an opportunity to seek explanations on the audit findings and establish how the institutions handled public funds and other financial matters during the period under review. The committee's examination of the audit reports aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public funds in national schools.
The National Assembly Public Investments Committee's scrutiny of the audit reports and the school heads' responses will help to identify areas of improvement in school governance and financial management. This will enable the committee to make recommendations to improve the management of public funds in national schools and ensure that students receive quality education.
Key points
- School principals to face MPs over audit queries on financial and administrative issues.
- Audit reports reveal concerns about payments to KESSHA, unsupported spending, and student records.
- Committee aims to ensure accountability and transparency in management of public funds in national schools.
