Audit reveals irregularities in Narok West bursary, school projects

Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Auditor-General has raised concerns over ghost learners allegedly benefiting from bursary funds intended for needy students in Narok West Constituency's National Government CDF.

A 2021-2022 report revealed that CDF committees were abusing bursary allocations, leading to the loss of millions.

The report flagged 675 students whose records could not be traced, raising suspicions that they had received funds fraudulently.

According to the Auditor General, Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo allocated Sh35 million for bursaries, yet discrepancies in records resulted in an unexplained variance of Sh868,694.

The audit further identified irregularities in Sh9 million disbursed without proper admission or registration numbers, shared admission numbers among beneficiaries, and missing student names.

"The propriety, accuracy, and completeness of bursary payments of Sh35 million could not be confirmed," said the Auditor General's report.

Another issue arose from questionable spending on two secondary school construction projects worth Sh25 million.

Transfers of Sh19 million to Kishemouruak Secondary and Sh6 million to Olderkesi Secondary failed verification.

The projects meant for administration blocks and dormitories were not completed as per bill of quantities.

Similar concerns were raised over an abandoned Sh5 million project at Esoit Secondary involving incomplete classrooms and housing units.

The audit revealed no contractor presence, missing school registration certificates, and the absence of a Projects Management Committee.

The Auditor General also questioned the unaccounted-for Sh796,800 allocated to Lekanka Primary for borehole re-equipping. Physical verification confirmed no work had been done.

Mismanagement extended to the reallocation of Sh5.5 million to tertiary institutions and primary school projects like Oloibormurt and Olkiloriti, which violated regulations due to a lack of approval from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Board.

Similar concerns emerged in other constituencies, including Embakasi North, Nakuru Town, Isiolo South, Sabatia and Rongo, where unsupported expenditures were flagged.