- Financial fraud remains a pervasive issue in Kenyan universities, undermining their ability to deliver quality education and maintain public trust.
- Academic fraud, particularly the illegal graduation of students, has also been reported, undermining the meritocratic principles that universities are expected to uphold.
- National bodies like the Commission for University Education (CUE), EACC, and the Auditor General’s Office play critical roles in upholding standards of academic and financial integrity.
Recent allegations of financial and academic fraud in Kenya’s higher education sector have unveiled significant lapses in oversight, raising questions about the credibility and integrity of universities.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) recently announced that it has initiated investigations into 18 out of the 79 universities over claims of fraudulent activities allegations ranging from mismanagement of funds earmarked for capital development to bribery scandals undermining academic standards.
These revelations underscore glaring governance weaknesses in Kenya’s higher education institutions, jeopardising their reputation locally and internationally. As public confidence wanes, the urgency of implementing transparent and effective governance mechanisms cannot be overstated.
Financial fraud remains a pervasive issue in Kenyan universities, undermining their ability to deliver quality education and maintain public trust.
Common forms of fraud include embezzlement, where funds are siphoned off through inflated or fictitious expenses; procurement irregularities, such as awarding contracts without competitive bidding or collusion between suppliers and officials; and misuse of funds, where money intended for specific academic or infrastructural projects is diverted for unauthorised purposes. These practices not only erode institutional integrity but also deprive students and staff of the much needed essential resources.
Academic fraud, particularly the illegal graduation of students, has also been reported, undermining the meritocratic principles that universities are expected to uphold.
Allegations include falsified academic records, bribery to bypass academic requirements, and unapproved credit transfers. These actions not only devalue academic qualifications but are also likely to compromise the global standing of Kenya’s higher education system.
In the intricate ecosystem of Kenyan universities, the question most stakeholders would ask is: What are the roles of internal university governance structures in maintaining accountability, transparency, and excellence in scenarios of financial fraud and academic scandals?
At the heart of this system are key governance entities: the University Management Board (UMB), the Senate, the Council and the Chancellor. Each plays a pivotal role in ensuring that institutions operate within legal, academic, and financial frameworks.
As the executive arm of the university, the UMB oversees daily operations and implements policies. The UMB is responsible for financial management and must answer for irregularities such as embezzlement or misallocation of funds. Internal audit units within universities play a crucial role in monitoring compliance with procurement laws and detecting anomalies, forming the first line of defense against financial fraud.
The Senate is the academic authority responsible for upholding academic standards of a university. It oversees admissions, curricula, examinations and graduation approvals.
Examination boards (in departments and schools), academic registrars, and quality assurance units work under the Senate to verify academic records, address grade discrepancies, and maintain compliance with institutional policies.
It should be remembered that the Senate, is empowered by university statutes to withdraw degrees obtained fraudulently without any prior notice to the subject.
The Vice-Chancellor (VC), who chairs both the UMB and the Senate, is pivotal in maintaining the university’s financial and academic integrity.
The VC must lead decisively, ensuring accountability by demanding answers from those in charge of financial and academic processes. In cases of fraud, the VC has the authority to suspend any implicated officials from office, to facilitate thorough and credible investigations. The VC’s leadership is instrumental in inculcating a culture of trust, ethical governance, and justice.
The University Council, as a governing body, focuses on strategic oversight and policy formulation. It ensures that the university adheres to national higher education laws and institutional mandates.
The Council also supervises financial management, approving budgets and expenditures, and is instrumental in hiring key personnel, including the VC. In instances of fraud, the Council must demand accountability from both the UMB and the Senate, through the VC.
The Universities Act 2012, depicts the Chancellor, as the titular head of a university, at the apex of university organizational structure. The Chancellor plays a largely ceremonial role in governance but retains significant symbolic and oversight importance, especially in cases of financial and academic challenges.
While their day-to-day involvement in university operations is limited, their position grants them a unique platform to influence, advocate for, and uphold the institution’s integrity. A chancellor can order a “visitation”.
A visitation by the university Chancellor refers to a formal process of institutional review and evaluation, initiated and overseen by the Chancellor to address specific issues or concerns within the university.
This process often involves appointing an independent visitation panel or committee tasked with investigating various aspects of the university’s governance, financial management, academic standards, and overall operations. In cases of fraud, the Chancellor must demand answers from the Council, failure to which he or she may order a visitation.
Complementing these governance bodies are the independent audit committee of the Council, whose role is to provide financial and systems oversight.
Through regular audits, these committees may detect and prevent fraud, ensuring resources are used effectively and ethically. They liaise closely with internal auditors to review financial statements and risk management strategies, creating a transparent financial environment.
National bodies like the Commission for University Education (CUE), EACC, and the Auditor General’s Office play critical roles in upholding standards of academic and financial integrity. CUE oversees accreditation, academic quality assurance, and adherence to policies.
The Auditor General conducts financial audits as an external auditor, to ensure proper use of public funds. EACC Investigates corruption and prosecutes those implicated in financial malfeasance.
These bodies act as watchdogs, holding universities accountable and safeguarding the credibility of Kenya’s higher education system. They are allowed by law, to walk into any institution of higher learning and conduct an impromptu audit.
Kenyan universities already operate under a versatile network of internal and external frameworks designed to address fraud and scandals. However, challenges persist, highlighting the need to reinforce these systems to meet the highest standards of governance.
Strengthening the existing legal and regulatory frameworks can provide the much-needed rigour to deter malpractices, enhance accountability, national development and global competitiveness.
Going forward, addressing the allegations facing the 18 universities require a multi-pronged approach: harsher consequences for individuals involved in fraudulent activities, enhanced use-of-technology through employment of tamper-proof academic record systems and automated financial monitoring tools, and on-boarding a culture of ethics and accountability within universities through regular training for staff and students.
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Public Reporting Mechanisms through creation of secure channels for whistleblowers to report fraud without fear of retaliation, should not be overlooked.
The recent scandals serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders in Kenya’s higher education sector. Universities must prioritise governance and accountability, ensuring that they uphold the highest standards of integrity.
By embracing reforms and rearing a culture of transparency, Kenyan universities can continue charting a path toward excellence, reaffirming their role as pillars of knowledge and innovation in the region.
