Auditor General Uncovers Shocking Scandal: Billions Paid to 33 Non-Existent Schools in Kenya
A damning report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has exposed massive fraud in Kenya’s education sector, revealing that 33 non-existent schools received over KSh 3.7 billion in capitation funds between the 2020/21 and 2023/24 financial years.
The revelation comes at a time when public schools across Kenya are reeling from a Sh117 billion funding deficit, raising serious concerns about mismanagement of public resources and the integrity of education data systems.
The special audit, tabled before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), indicated that many of the listed schools were fraudulently entered into the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) and do not exist on the ground. Despite this, they continued to receive state funding, diverting resources from genuine schools in need.
Secondary schools were found to be the most underfunded, followed by junior secondary and primary schools, with the Auditor-General highlighting systemic flaws in the capitation model. The audit also revealed that funds for multiple schools were funneled into a single bank account, significantly compromising accountability and traceability.
In total, 723 of the 1,039 schools sampled were flagged for having ghost students. The audit cited major discrepancies between actual student enrolment and NEMIS records. Lawmakers have since demanded a total overhaul of the NEMIS system, citing deliberate manipulation and regional imbalances in funding.
“The Ministry of Education seems to be running a business rather than offering a public service,” said one MP during the PAC hearing. “This corruption has deprived our children of essential resources, and those responsible must be held to account.”
The report also questioned the equity of the capitation formula, suggesting that it does not reflect individual school needs or real student numbers. The calls for reform underscore a deeper crisis in Kenya’s public education system, where bureaucratic loopholes have enabled the looting of billions meant for learners.
As the scandal unfolds, education stakeholders and anti-graft agencies are under pressure to act swiftly and bring the culprits to justice, while restoring confidence in the systems meant to support Kenya’s future generations.
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Auditor General Uncovers Shocking Scandal: Billions Paid to 33 Non-Existent Schools in Kenya