Members of Parliament have called upon former Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) officials to appear before the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education. The summons follows an investigation into dubious financial and administrative activities linked to the university’s former Kigali campus.

The inquiry centers on allegations including irregular land acquisition, unauthorized loan procurement, improper fund transfers, and failure to account for assets after the campus closure.

Committee Investigation and Findings

  • The committee, chaired by Luanda MP Dick Maungu, is scrutinizing the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year.
  • Concerns raised include purchase of two land parcels in Kigali valued at over Sh19.7 million without Ministry of Education approval.
  • A loan from I&M Bank Rwanda was secured by the former campus director without necessary endorsements from the University Council, Ministry of Education, or National Treasury.
  • Irregular transfer of Sh8.06 million from the campus accounts was flagged by the Inspectorate of State Corporations.
  • Legal disputes with landlords remain unresolved, with some cases pending in the Court of Appeal.

Current Management’s Response

JKUAT’s current Vice Chancellor, Prof Victoria Wambui Ngumi, informed MPs that the administration inherited these challenges and took swift action upon discovery. The former campus director was suspended, dismissed following disciplinary proceedings, and reported to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Other senior officials, including the Chief Finance Officer and Chief Legal Officer, provided updates on ongoing legal matters.

Call for Former Officials to Testify

Parliamentary members emphasized the necessity of hearing directly from former officials involved during the period under review. Among those summoned are former Vice Chancellor Prof Mabel Imbuga, former Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance Prof Bernard Otoki, former Head of Finance, and ex-Kigali Campus Director Anthony Luvanda.

Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima described the transactions as rife with illegalities, while Kilome MP Thaddeus Nzambia highlighted the unilateral actions taken by the former campus director without university or ministry oversight.

Committee chair Dick Maungu stated that the probe will remain open until the former officials provide their accounts, underscoring the importance of accountability for public institution management.