Nairobi School has invested in new learning and accommodation facilities but still faces a 58-unit infrastructure shortfall, as Parliament examines its 2024 financial report.
The school is putting up the first phase of a Science Complex valued at Sh65.08 million and has completed a dormitory complex costing about Sh176.7 million, even as it continues to grapple with shortages in key facilities.
Chief Principal Caspal Maina appeared before the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education on Thursday, where lawmakers examined issues raised in the school’s 2024 financial report.
The report shows that Nairobi School had 2,481 students enrolled in 10 streams, supported by 111 teachers. Of these, 41 were employed by the Board of Management.
The Science Complex is being financed by parents and the Board of Management and was still under construction at the time covered by the report. By the reporting date, Sh34.47 million had been spent or financed towards the project.
The school has also completed a dormitory complex funded by the Kenya National Highways Authority at a cost of about Sh176.7 million.
The projects are aimed at improving the school’s learning and accommodation facilities as it continues to serve a large student population.
Despite the ongoing developments, the 2024 annual report shows that the school still requires more infrastructure in several areas.
Nairobi School reported shortages in classrooms, laboratories, toilets, library space, dining facilities and other infrastructure. Overall, the school recorded a deficit of 58 units against its stated requirements.
The infrastructure gaps emerged as the school’s financial management also came under scrutiny during the parliamentary review.
The Auditor-General issued a qualified opinion on the school’s 2024 financial statements, citing concerns involving school-fund income, long-outstanding receivables, supporting documents for some assets and payments, and land records.
The Board of Management, however, maintained that the financial statements presented an accurate picture of the school’s transactions and financial position during the year ended June 30, 2024.
“The Board of Management is of the opinion that the school's financial statements give a true and fair view of the school's transactions during the financial year ended 30th June, 2024, and of the school's financial position as at that date.”
At the same time, the audit did not find further evidence indicating that public resources had been used unlawfully or ineffectively.
“I confirm that nothing else has come to my attention to cause me to believe that public resources have not been applied lawfully and in an effective way,” the Auditor-General stated.
The Auditor-General also said no further matter had come to attention to indicate that the school’s internal controls, risk management and governance were ineffective.
“I confirm that nothing else has come to my attention to cause me to believe that internal controls, risk management and governance were not effective.”
The parliamentary review comes as Nairobi School continues to work on improving its facilities. The Science Complex and completed dormitory are among the developments intended to address the needs of its students, while the reported infrastructure deficit and audit issues remain part of the matters under review.