It has emerged that a number of newly-established Technical Training Institutes and Colleges are grappling with transitional challenges; key among them is the attainment of total independence from their mother-Colleges and Universities.

The Audit Committee on Public Investments on Governance and Education chaired by Bumula MP Hon. Wanami Wamboka has urged the young learning institutions to hasten their transition processes and attain total autonomy; if they are to successfully and smoothly undertake their mandates.

This revelation came up during the Committee’s meeting with the Njoro Technical and Training Institute, and the Gilgil Technical and Vocational Training College today, when the MPs sought to address a series of unresolved Audit Queries reported by the Office of the Auditor General flagging the failure to comply with basic requirements to run Institutions of Higher Learning.

“It is appalling that an Institution with over a thousand students has no Human Resource Policy, no approved Budget, no Procurement plan, neither do they have an approved Information Technical Security Policy,” remarked Hon. Rebecca Tonkei, during a meeting with Njoro TTI’s Principal Dr. Sheila Kandie.

The Institute, which received its first batch of students in January 2023 having been mentored by Kaiboi National Polytechnic, has however initiated the process of putting in place all the necessary policies to guide its operations, evidenced by their successful resolution of a number of F/Y 2023/2024 Audit Queries so-far.

The Principal of Gilgil Technical and Vocational Training College Dr. Ngugi Mbugua, while appearing before the Committee in a session chaired by Kilome MP Hon. (Eng.) Thaddeus Nzambia , also faced scrutiny of the college’s failure to put in place structures for smooth transition.

“It seems the former Principal of Gilgil TVC ran the institution unlawfully, and flouted several guidelines including procurement laws.” Stated Hon. Nzambia. “As much as the college is new, the law must be followed in every operation.”

In his submissions before the Committee, the Gilgil TVC Principal was taken to task to also explain the lack of among others: an approved strategic plan, internal audit function and Audit Committee, as well as the low number of registered students.