MPs fine Kenya School of Law CEO Henry Mutai Sh0.5 million, want him probed over delays in Sh488.7 million project
Urging for the intervention of DCI and EACC , the committee termed the lack of accountability by KSL’s management criminal and worthy of investigation
The National Assembly’s Audit Committee on Public Investment- Education and Governance now wants the management of Kenya School of Law (KSL), including Chief Executive Officer Henry Kibet Mutai, investigated, and prosecuted for flouting procurement laws and undertaking irregular awards of contracts and purchases.
The committee, chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, on Tuesday undertook a site visit of the KSL to ascertain progress of the construction of an ultra-modern library and moot courts, which commenced on June 24, 2013 at an estimated cost of Sh488,704,449.
During a spot check at the facility, which the KSL management told the legislators is currently 97 per cent complete, indicates shoddy work done on the finishing.
According to report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, the construction period was three years and the project was expected to be completed by September 2016 and June 30, 2022, a total of Sh322,940,902 had been paid to the contractor.
During the meeting with the KSL management team , the legislators sought answers to the various audit queries raised from the institution’s financial statements, most of which Mutai and the accountant seemed uncertain of their state of resolution, making contradictory statements before the MPs.
“We find the Finance Officer incompetent, negligent, and unfit to serve in an institution like KSL,” Wamboka said.
Also key among the issues of concern to the committee is the failure to use an Integrated Enterprises Resource Planning (ERP), a system which was expected to automate the School’s functions to enable integrated management of KSL core business processes in real-time.
“There seems to be a lot of disconnection between the CEO and the officers. The legal counsel , ICT team, Finance and Procurement officers were not present during the Audit and Verification process of this system, pointing to sheer negligence of critical processes,” Sotik MP Francis Sigei said.
According to the audit report, the KSL management entered into a contract with Ms ABNO Software’s International Limited on June 27, 2018 for supply, delivery, installation, configuration, testing and implementation of an ERP system at a cost of Sh14,998,510 through tender No. KSL/002/2017-2018.
“Taking responsibility for the unanswered queries raised by the Auditor General makes you an accomplice in this case Mr CEO,” Bomachoge Chache MP Alfah Miruka warned.
Following the consistent failure by Mutai to furnish the committee with sufficient information, Wamboka imposed a Sh500,000 fine on him payable to the clerk of the National Assembly.
“ I therefore invoke Section 191 (a) of the National Assembly Standing Orders, as we find it very difficult to get answers from the CEO,“ Wamboka stated. “You’re hereby ordered to pay a fine of Sh500,000 payable to the Clerk, from personal coffers, and not the institution’s money. Bring the Banker’s Cheque to our next meeting in a week’s time.”
Urging for the intervention of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) , the committee termed the lack of accountability by KSL’s management criminal and worthy of investigation.
“It is not acceptable that this Committee has come here thrice to follow up on the same audit matters that have remained unresolved for years. There ought to be repercussions for such negligence,” Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima said.
