Hard truths. Bold Insights. Real talk.
MPs say reforms are urgently needed to ensure that health professionals are competent and that graduates meet national and international expectations.The warning follows a detailed audit of 152 medical training institutions, which revealed that eight per cent of schools admitted students without proper registration and 26 per cent failed to meet the recommended faculty-to-student ratio of 1:10.
According to the Public Finance Management Act 2012, government borrowing should be focused on development, while short-term loans like overdrafts are meant to manage cash flows. As of September, Kenya’s public debt stood at Sh12.05 trillion, with domestic borrowing accounting for more than half of the total.
The audit, conducted by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu for the period ending June 30, points out that the university has been functioning without a substantive chancellor since February 2022. During this period, the vice chancellor has only been serving in an acting role, leaving the university without permanent leadership at the top.
According to the report, 16,788 schools with 4.29 million learners received Sh1.22 billion after full verification. Another 3,979 schools with smaller enrolments—below 90 learners—also qualified for full payment amounting to Sh66.8 million. However, 3,065 schools that failed to submit accurate data were given only 50 per cent of their allocation, translating to Sh79.7 million for 280,900 learners based on data from the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
The audit shows that from July 2023 to December 2024, KPA collected Sh22 billion from cargo moved on the railway. However, only Sh16 billion was directed to the escrow account, while Sh6 billion remained in the ports agency’s hands.
The verification process, launched in early September 2025, came after a special audit by the Office of the Auditor General uncovered serious irregularities in the education sector. That audit showed that 33 fictitious schools had received billions of shillings over the past four years. By the end of October, the Ministry reported finding roughly 50,000 ghost students from a sample of 12,000 public schools.
The Ministry of Public Service said the findings show deep collusion and a network that enabled civil servants to cheat retirement, receive double payments, and secure positions using forged certificates.
The Auditor-General warned that the persistent shortfall could threaten Kenya Power’s ability to remain operational, raising fears about the sustainability of the country’s main power distributor.
Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the audit that triggered the investigation exposed deep-seated malpractice and collusion in HR departments across government offices, warning that those implicated would not only lose their jobs but also face criminal prosecution.
The petition, submitted by Nakuru-based civic activist Laban Omusundi, argues that counties have engaged lawyers without following proper procedures, bypassing in-house legal teams and established procurement rules. Omusundi contends that this practice has led to massive financial losses and undermines the ethical standards expected of legal professionals.
According to the Auditor-General’s report for the financial year ending June 30, 2024, the county government spent Sh4.98 million on the consultancy, drawing sharp criticism from the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC). Senators questioned why such a large amount was used for a matter that falls squarely within the health authorities’ mandate.
CS Ogamba said the ministry has uncovered serious irregularities through an ongoing national audit of learners and schools, which is 75 per cent complete. He revealed that about 50,000 students listed in the system do not actually exist, adding that more discrepancies are still being uncovered.