Mombasa University on spot for buying TVs worth Sh4 million

An audit report has revealed that a University bought five smart television sets at a cost of Sh4.5 million.

The report by the Auditor General for the year ended June 2018 tabled in Parliament puts on spot Technical University of Mombasa (TUM).

The report tabled by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale indicate that the procurement of the television sets was done through requests for quotation contrary to the Public Procurement and Disposal Act,2005.

Despite the supply order indicating that the supplier was to deliver 70-inch size television sets, it is 65 inch-size that were delivered but at the same cost.

Auditor General Edward Ouko in his report indicate that the 65 inch-TV sets were bought at a total cost of Sh4,553,448 meaning that each TV set was bought at Sh910,689.

“A review of the matter in the current year indicates that the matter is pending in court,” reads the audit report.

The Auditor General also faulted the institution failing to put in place a clear way of recovering their debts which stood at Sh43million at the time of auditing.

The debt which is 26 percent of the outstanding accounts receivable include Sh142, 454 of staff allowances.

“A review of the matter in the current year indicates that the management has not set a specific provision for the long outstanding debts.

Consequently, the adequacy of the provision of Sh43 million as at June 2018 is doubtful,” reads the audit report.

The report also indicates that the Coast based learning institution had an over expenditure of Sh294million on personal emoluments and there was no evidence of authority to overspend or reallocate funds in line with section 48 (5) of the public finance management.

According the report, the budgeted amount for personal emoluments for the year under review was Sh1, 116,820,000 but the university spent Sh1, 410,840

Ouko says in his report that the University also under-spent to a tune of Sh292million on various items against the total budget allocation.

“The funds could have been allocated to other deserving areas that would improve delivery of goods and services to the University. This may also be an indication of poor planning and the management may need to re-think on its budget making process in view of focusing on more priority areas,” reads Ouko’s report.