By Obaigwa Alex
The Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has exposed staggering misuse of taxpayers’ money within Kenya’s Ministry of Education.
A special audit for the 2024-2025 financial year unveiled that billions of shillings were channeled into non-existent schools, funds that were meant for legitimate education programs.
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Out of 33 schools sampled, 14 phantom institutions received capitation worth KSh 16.7 million, while 6 that closed a long time ago got KSh 889,000.
13 others, registered under incorrect names, were awarded KSh 11 million.
It was discovered that these schools have no buildings, infrastructure, or even traceable students.
What they do have are fully operational bank accounts, routinely receiving and withdrawing public funds.
“County directors of education in the listed locations told us they weren’t aware of such schools,” said Justus Okumu, Director of Audit at the Auditor General’s office.
The scandal deepens with revelations that KSh 117 billion was spent on health coverage for ghost students, money that now appears untraceable.
This crisis comes at a time when real schools are on the brink of closure. Secondary school heads have raised the alarm, urging the government to release capitation arrears for the first and second terms.
Without funds, they warn, thousands of students may be sent home prematurely.
Worryingly, this is not an isolated event.
In Baringo County last year, Kaptiony Girls’ High School was found to be a hoax.
Although it received regular funding, investigations revealed the “school” consisted of nothing more than a gate leading into a forest.
