The scale of financial mismanagement within the State Department for Higher Education and Research has come under scrutiny, as MPs demand accountability over a staggering Sh12.5 million spent on fuel, oil, and lubricants without proper documentation.
The revelations, flagged in Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu’s report on the 2022/23 financial year, highlight systemic abuse of public funds, with Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala acknowledging possible losses.
PS Inyangala delivers a keynote speech during a past media presser. Photo: The Star Source: X
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) at Bunge Tower, Dr. Inyangala admitted that fuel records lacked crucial details, including vehicle registration numbers, making it impossible to verify if the fuel was used for official purposes.
The audit painted a grim picture of the State Department, exposing a scenario where drivers had unrestricted access to fuel.
With no clear safeguards, the expenditure was deemed irregular, raising fears that private vehicles could have been fueled at the taxpayers’ expense.
“It was a free-for-all. The fuel statements provided did not indicate which vehicles drew the fuel, making it impossible to track usage,” the audit report stated.
Dr. Beatrice Inyangala speaks during a past media presser. Photo: NTV Kenya Source: X
Aldai MP Maryanne Kitany expressed outrage, questioning why the department failed to maintain a fuel register to reconcile supplier statements before making payments.
“Why was this allowed to happen, Madam PS? Other government agencies have had accountability issues, but this is beyond acceptable,” Ms. Kitany stated.
Dr. Inyangala attempted to justify the discrepancies, explaining that the department used general fuel cards rather than vehicle-specific ones, making tracking difficult.
However, MPs were unconvinced, with PAC Chairperson Tindi Mwale (Butere) pressing for concrete measures to curb the abuse.
PS Inyangala getsures during a past media presser. Photo: NTV Kenya Source: Facebook
The misuse of government fuel is a recurring scandal, often involving fraud, theft, and personal use of state resources.
The failure to track consumption has allowed unscrupulous officials to siphon funds with impunity, reinforcing the culture of looting within state entities.
To counter this, Dr. Inyangala assured the committee that the department has since procured specific fuel cards for each vehicle and implemented a fuel register to track consumption.
However, MPs demanded more comprehensive responses, arguing that mere assurances were insufficient.
MPs, led by Ms. Kitany, called for stringent monitoring, auditing, and punitive penalties to deter further abuse.
