By Reporter
The Public Accounts Committee has questioned the State Department for Higher Education and Research over persistent university strikes and delays in appointing substantive vice-chancellors as it examined the Auditor-General’s reports for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The Committee, chaired by Tindi Mwale (Butere), put Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala and other State Department officials to task over issues raised in the audit reports.
The PS appeared before the Committee alongside Acting Moi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kiplagat Kotut, Co-operative University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kamau Ngamau, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology Vice-Chancellor Prof. Emily Akuno and other officials.
During the session, Members raised concerns over the continued appointment of university administrators in acting capacities, noting that the lack of substantive appointments could undermine effective leadership and decision-making in the institutions.
Hon. Mwale questioned the Ministry’s plans to address the matter, observing that officials serving in acting positions might be reluctant to make key decisions due to uncertainty about their future.
“The issue of acting vice-chancellors and other top university officials is a very uncomfortable subject. What is the Ministry doing to address this matter?” the Chairperson posed.
In response, Dr Inyangala said the Ministry was working with university councils to resolve the issue, expressing hope that substantive appointments would be concluded by the end of the current academic year in June 2027.
“By the end of the current academic year, in June 2027, we hope to have settled the matter once and for all,” she said.
Members also expressed concern over recurring university strikes, which they noted had disrupted learning and placed an additional burden on students and their parents. They called on the Ministry to find a lasting solution to the disputes between university management and academic staff.
Dr Inyangala said the Government remained committed to dialogue and had been engaging university unions since last year to address their grievances.
She added that some of the issues raised by university lecturers were being discussed separately with the Public Service Commission as negotiations continued with all relevant stakeholders.
“Some of the issues the dons have raised are under parallel discussion with the Public Service Commission. We are negotiating with all stakeholders, including the unions, and we will resolve this matter soon,” she assured the Committee.
