On October 9, 2025, Wanami Wamboka, Chairperson of Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education tabled a bold bill aimed at tightening the reins on how Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions act on audit recommendations. The move follows a two‑day fact‑finding tour that exposed glaring gaps in financial stewardship across six colleges in Kenya’s Rift Valley and North‑Eastern regions.
Why the committee stepped in
Earlier that week, the committee visited six campuses – Sikri Technical and Vocational College in Emgwen, Aldai Technical Training College, Mosoriot Teachers Training College, Tambach Teachers Training College, Emgwen Teachers Training College, and Kapcherop Technical & Vocational College. The purpose? To see whether audit reports, which are supposed to be the backbone of public‑fund accountability, were being turned into action plans or just filed away.
During the October 8 session at Sikri, the principal, Evans Oyoo, appeared bewildered when asked about the college’s procurement records. "The Committee finds you incompetent and clueless," Wamboka warned, echoing a sentiment that reverberated through the hearing rooms: repeated red‑ink on balance sheets should not be tolerated.
Key audit failures uncovered
The committee’s report listed a string of infractions that read like a checklist of what not to do. At Ollessos National Polytechnic, principal Wesley Yegon was flagged for ignoring the mandated one‑third gender quota in staff appointments. In the same audit, the college’s annual procurement plan showed missing approvals, and the institution failed to register its trainers with the TVET Training Authority.
Financial losses were equally stark. Catering operations at the polytechnic posted a Ksh 21,800,000 shortfall, while the on‑site farm recorded a Ksh 743,687 deficit for the 2023/24 fiscal year. Over in Laisamis Technical Training Institute, principal Charles K. Rotich could not produce ownership documents for two parcels of land donated by the community, nor an up‑to‑date asset register. The institute also failed to submit its audited financial statements on time, leaving 37% of its budget unspent – a red flag that sparked an angry rebuke from Mark Mwenje, Embakasi West MP, who asked, "How do you spend public money without any accountability?"
The legislative remedy on the table
Wamboka’s proposed legislation would embed three core mechanisms:
- A statutory duty for heads of TVET institutions to act on audit recommendations within 90 days, with automatic suspension if they fail to comply after two warnings.
- Mandatory public disclosure of audit findings on each institution’s website, allowing civil society and prospective students to monitor compliance.
- Creation of a specialised TVET Audit Oversight Unit within the Auditor‑General’s office, tasked with providing real‑time guidance and follow‑up visits.
The draft references the earlier Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – introduced on March 5, 2025 – but pushes further by targeting the people who ignore the recommendations, not just the institutions themselves.
Voices from the chamber
Anthony Kibagendi, Kitutu Chache North MP, urged the Auditor‑General’s office to “indulge” young colleges with clearer procedural hand‑books, arguing that “guidance, not punishment, will break the cycle of non‑compliance.”
Meanwhile, Narok MP Rebecca Tonkei highlighted a legislative blind spot: existing statutes like the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act lack explicit provisions for repeated administrative lapses. "We need a law that says ‘enough is enough,’" she said.
Why this matters for Kenya’s Vision 2030
The TVET sector is a cornerstone of Kenya’s Vision 2030, which aims to boost enrolment from 495 to 1,401 per 100,000 people by 2027. Yet the TVET Sub‑Sector Report 2024‑2027 warned that stigma, under‑funding, and a shortage of qualified trainers keep enrollment numbers stagnant.
By tightening audit follow‑up, the proposed bill could restore confidence among donors – the Kenya/China Project Phase II, which recently equipped 144 TVET schools with modern tools, is already on standby for further rollout. If institutions can demonstrate sound financial management, they’re more likely to attract private‑sector partnerships, an essential ingredient for the skills‑training pipeline outlined in the National Education Sector Strategic Plan (2023‑2027).
What the Auditor‑General says
Earlier, Nancy Gathungu, Kenya’s Auditor‑General, lamented that only 21% of audit recommendations had been acted upon as of October 2024. "The majority of public entities are ignoring the very safeguards meant to protect taxpayer money," she warned at the launch of the Eastern Regional Offices in Embu County.
Her assessment gave the committee the data‑driven backing it needed to move from recommendations to enforceable law.
Next steps on the legislative track
The bill now heads to the Parliamentary Directorate of Legal Services for drafting, with an expected first reading in the National Assembly slated for early December 2025. If passed, the law would come into force six months after presidential assent, giving institutions a clear deadline to align their internal audit functions.
In parallel, Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has been summoned by the Special Funds Accounts Committee for a November 4 hearing after missing 16 consecutive summonses on audit queries dating back to the 2017/18 fiscal year. His testimony could shape how the Treasury supports the new oversight unit.
Broader ripple effects
If successful, Kenya could become a regional model for accountability in vocational training – a sector that many East African neighbours are scrambling to professionalise. The law might also prompt a review of audit compliance across other public‑service domains, from health to infrastructure, creating a cascade of tighter fiscal stewardship.
For students and parents, the promise is simple: transparent institutions mean better‑equipped classrooms, reliable apprenticeship pipelines, and, ultimately, jobs that match the skills Kenya needs to stay competitive in the global market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does the proposed TVET audit law require of college principals?
Principals must address every audit recommendation within 90 days, publish the status of each on their institution’s website, and face automatic suspension after two missed deadlines. The law also creates a dedicated oversight unit to monitor compliance.
How does this legislation tie into Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals?
Vision 2030 targets a dramatic rise in TVET enrolment by 2027. Stronger financial oversight will boost donor confidence, attract private‑sector partnerships, and ensure that funds earmarked for equipment and training are actually spent, directly supporting the enrolment targets.
What were the most serious financial losses uncovered during the committee’s visit?
Ollessos National Polytechnic reported a Ksh 21.8 million deficit in its catering unit and a Ksh 743,687 shortfall in its farming operations for 2023/24. Laisamis Technical Training Institute also under‑utilised 37% of its budget due to delayed approvals and missing asset registers.
Will other public sectors be affected by this new audit framework?
While the bill focuses on TVET, the Auditor‑General has indicated that a successful model could be replicated in health, infrastructure and local government, prompting a broader push for audit‑driven accountability across the public service.
When is the law expected to be debated in Parliament?
The draft is slated for its first reading in the National Assembly in early December 2025, with the goal of receiving presidential assent by mid‑2026, after which it will take effect six months later.
6 Comments
Wow, this bill could really turn the tide for TVET colleges! 🌟 Even though the audit gaps are scary, I truly believe Kenyan leaders are stepping up. If principals start fixing things within 90 days, students will finally see better resources. Let's hope the oversight unit gets the tools it needs – transparency = trust. Keep the momentum going, Kenya! 💪
/p>Kenyan parliament shows the kind of bold leadership we need.
/p>The very notion that auditors are merely scribblers of paperwork is a shallow myth that blinds our civic sense. When institutions hide behind procedural delays, they betray the public trust – a moral failure of unparalleled depth. We must enforce the 90‑day rule lest the complacency become institutionalized. Moreover, the suspension clause is not a punitive afterthought; it is a necessary moral lever. If we let principals skate by, we endorse corruption with a smile. The data is stark – millions lost, futures jeopardized, and the language of accountability remains a whisper.
/p>Thus, legislation must be ironclad, leaving no room for bureaucratic foot‑dragging or excuse‑making.
I see the intent behind the bill as a genuine effort to protect students and taxpayers alike. While the suspension measure sounds harsh, it could serve as a wake‑up call for administrators who have grown too comfortable. At the same time, providing clear guidance and support, as MP Kibagendi suggested, would help new colleges avoid pitfalls. A balanced approach-firm yet nurturing-might foster a culture of compliance without alienating staff. Let's keep the dialogue open and constructive.
/p>The audit failures highlighted in the report read like a checklist of administrative negligence. From missing gender quotas to undocumented land assets, the patterns are unmistakable. It's evident that without systemic enforcement, individual goodwill will falter. The proposed oversight unit could act as the necessary spine for this sector. However, the success of such a unit hinges on political will and resource allocation; otherwise, it risks becoming another paper tiger.
/p>Agree, the bold steps could set a precedent, but implementation will be key. 😉
/p>