A recent report by the Auditor General has uncovered significant governance and financial irregularities at Ng’iya Girls National School in Siaya County. The findings place responsibility on Mrs Hellen, the Chief Principal, alongside the Board of Management (BoM), chaired by Edwin Ochieng Yinda.
Despite the school’s reputation for academic excellence, the report highlights severe mismanagement, casting doubt on its administrative practices. One key concern is an expenditure of Kshs. 427,260, which was allocated to the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA). Given that KESSHA is a welfare organization exclusively for school principals, the report notes that it is impossible to verify the value of money regarding this transaction.
Additionally, the school has been accused of delayed payments to suppliers, many of whom are owed millions of shillings. The report reveals that outstanding payables amount to Kshs. 13,023,818, with some debts dating back to 2017—a clear violation of Section 53(8) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.
The Act explicitly states that procurement should not commence unless adequate funds are available within the approved budget estimates. The failure to adhere to this law exposes public funds to potential litigation, interest penalties, and financial losses.
An audit verification conducted on 23 May 2024 further exposed serious infrastructural deficiencies at the school:
- Lack of a Dining Hall – The designated dining area has been converted into a dormitory, forcing students to take meals in makeshift spaces.
- Outdated Library – The school library is inadequate for its 2,175 students and lacks an automated system to track textbooks issued, lost, or in high demand.
- Severe Water Shortage – The school faces a critical water shortage, raising hygiene concerns, particularly in an all-girls institution.
The lack of security infrastructure was another major concern raised in the report:
- Absence of CCTV Cameras – The school has no CCTV surveillance in dormitories or classrooms, despite frequent cases of theft.
- Substandard Dormitory Conditions – Dormitories lack ceiling boards, hanging lines, adequate toilets and bathrooms, and fire suppression systems, posing serious health and safety risks to students.
The report also reveals that the school has failed to comply with Government Circular No. MOE.HQS/3/13/3, issued on 16 June 2021. The circular outlines strict financial guidelines for public schools, restricting parental contributions to:
- Uniform costs
- Boarding fees (as per the approved structure)
- Lunch for day scholars
By imposing additional financial burdens on parents, the school’s management is in direct violation of these regulations.
