A few weeks back we were mesmerized at how a wooden bridge in a county would cost Ksh. 4.5 Million Shillings. Here we are again with Technical University of Mombasa, in what is also raising eyebrows, breached the procurement laws in the manner it procured the suspicious TVs. Auditor General Edward Ouko has questioned how the Technical University of Mombasa(TUM) spent Sh4.5 million to buy five TVs. His report revealed procurement was done through requests for quotation contrary to the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005. In his 2017-18 report, Ouko exposed what could be one of the stinking rot on how state-funded institutions misuse public money in questionable spendings.
The institution could not back the payments with supportive documents as required. Ouko’s report further revealed the Coast-based university did not get value for money since the supplier delivered 65 inch-size screen instead of the 70 inch-size television sets in the supply order. This means the university spent close to a million shillings to procure the sets with each costing Sh 910,689.
The report also revealed that the university could not account for up to Sh6,300,000 it claimed to have paid out as gratuities to staff. The report tabled by National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale also showed the state-funded university overspent on personal emoluments with a record Sh 294 million without any authorisation. Ouko’s report reads that the funds could have been allocated to other deserving areas that would improve delivery of goods and services to the University. “This may also be an indication of poor planning and the management may need to re-think on its budget making process in view of focusing on more priority areas,” report reads.