Ex-CS Fred Matiang'i Summoned by National Assembly; Here is Why

The former Cabinet Secretary has been summoned by the National Assembly's public investment committee on Education and Governance next Wednesday.

Matiang'i is scheduled to appear before the committee to answer questions regarding a decision made while serving as education minister during the era of Former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The matter of contention is the closure of the Kenyatta University campus in Kigali, Rwanda where the CS is said to have ordered its closure despite the government spending a whooping Sh420, 749, 207 on it.

Kenyatta University said the decision to close the Kigali Campus followed a directive from the Ministry of Education.

An audit query flagged in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year 2019-20 raised concern that millions of taxpayers' money could have been lost in the investment since there were no returns for the country.

Of the amount spent, the government spent Sh 314,894,910 for the purchase of land and building cost, renovation and partitioning gobbled up Sh54,073,302, Operating expenses took, Sh11, 489, 009 while personal emoluments Sh728,185.

Other expenses include furniture and equipment costs of Sh6,657,697, Sh24,699,246  was spent on computers and Sh8,206,856 on motor vehicles.

“Despite the University's assurance that all necessary checks were done before opening the campus, the management has not yet recovered the full amount spent,” the auditor general report read.

Matiang'i is said to have issued the directive that saw the school closed.

Former vice chancellor Olive Mugenda and the accounting officer during the establishment of the campus will also appear before the committee.

The are to answer queries regarding expenses incurred during the renovation.