Lawmakers have expressed outrage over what they termed gross mismanagement at Moi University following revelations of inflated construction costs and neglected student welfare.
The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Governance, led by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, uncovered shocking details during an inspection tour of the institution. The committee flagged a main gate project, which cost Ksh7 million, as severely substandard, with cracks already visible despite the project not being completed.
“The cost of this project was clearly inflated. A simple look at the gate shows substandard work, with cracks already showing even before its completion,” said Bomachoge Chache MP Alfah Miruka.
This was not the first gate-related controversy at Moi University. Last year, MPs questioned why the institution had spent more than Ksh25 million on a second gate after abandoning an initial plan that was to cost Ksh4.8 million. An audit later revealed that the university had paid Ksh7 million in full for the ongoing gate reconstruction, despite its incomplete state.
The committee also raised concerns over the state of student hostels, many of which lack basic amenities such as light bulbs and fire extinguishers. “Something like fire extinguishers and light bulbs are basics that need to be part of these hostels. Are the students even safe on these dimly lit corridors?” posed Narok County Woman Representative Rebecca Tonkei.
Kuresoi South MP Joseph Tonui added that the general state of disrepair reflected poorly on the university’s management. “A school is as good as its management, and from what we’re seeing here today, the efficiency of Moi University management is very questionable.”
The legislators further inspected staff quarters, many of which remain vacant and in dire need of renovation. They also noted the stalled construction of a multi-purpose amphitheatre, which remains less than 40 percent complete.
The committee urged Moi University’s management to prioritize the completion of ongoing projects instead of launching new ones, warning that continued mismanagement would result in further wastage of public resources.
“The school has many running projects that have all stalled,” Wamboka emphasized, calling for accountability and urgent reforms.
