MPs Demand Prosecution of Kenya School of Law Director Over Procurement Irregularities
Quote from Lawyer on July 24, 2025, 10:00 amMembers of Parliament in Kenya have called for the prosecution of Dr. Henry Mutai, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya School of Law, following allegations of significant procurement irregularities. The accusations stem from a session where the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education grilled Dr. Mutai over questionable financial practices at the institution. The committee, chaired by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, expressed dissatisfaction with Mutai’s responses, describing them as vague and insufficient, particularly regarding the institution’s compliance with procurement laws.
The committee’s scrutiny focused on several key issues, including the Kenya School of Law’s failure to adhere to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act. MPs highlighted irregularities such as the single-sourcing of suppliers, a practice that bypasses competitive bidding and raises concerns about transparency and fairness. Additionally, the institution was criticized for irregular payments to suppliers and the failure to provide essential procurement documents for audit purposes. These lapses have led to accusations of mismanagement and potential corruption, prompting the committee to impose a fine of Sh500,000 on Dr. Mutai for his unclear and evasive responses during the inquiry.
During the session, MPs also raised concerns about the Kenya School of Law’s financial management, particularly regarding payments made to part-time lecturers. Reports indicated that some lecturers were paid for services not rendered, further compounding allegations of financial impropriety. The committee noted that the institution’s internal auditor and other key officers were absent during the inquiry, which hindered efforts to clarify critical issues. This absence fueled suspicions of deliberate attempts to obscure accountability.
The Public Investments Committee has directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate Dr. Mutai and other officials involved in the alleged irregularities. The committee emphasized that those found culpable must face legal consequences, signaling a broader push to address corruption and mismanagement in public institutions. The MPs’ call for prosecution aligns with ongoing efforts by the EACC to crack down on procurement-related fraud across various state agencies, as evidenced by recent actions against officials at the Kenya Ports Authority and other entities.
The controversy has sparked significant public and parliamentary concern, with MPs stressing the importance of accountability at the Kenya School of Law, a critical institution responsible for training legal professionals. The committee has given Dr. Mutai and his team a 14-day ultimatum to provide all requested documents to the Auditor General to facilitate a thorough audit. Failure to comply could result in further sanctions or legal action.
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of public institutions in Kenya, with recent audits exposing financial irregularities in various sectors, including education and county governments. The Kenya School of Law’s case underscores the challenges of ensuring transparency and accountability in public procurement, a recurring issue that continues to undermine trust in governance.
As investigations proceed, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how procurement irregularities are addressed in Kenya’s public sector. The public and stakeholders in the legal education sector are closely watching to see whether the EACC and DCI will act swiftly to address the allegations and hold those responsible accountable.
Members of Parliament in Kenya have called for the prosecution of Dr. Henry Mutai, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya School of Law, following allegations of significant procurement irregularities. The accusations stem from a session where the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education grilled Dr. Mutai over questionable financial practices at the institution. The committee, chaired by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, expressed dissatisfaction with Mutai’s responses, describing them as vague and insufficient, particularly regarding the institution’s compliance with procurement laws.
The committee’s scrutiny focused on several key issues, including the Kenya School of Law’s failure to adhere to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act. MPs highlighted irregularities such as the single-sourcing of suppliers, a practice that bypasses competitive bidding and raises concerns about transparency and fairness. Additionally, the institution was criticized for irregular payments to suppliers and the failure to provide essential procurement documents for audit purposes. These lapses have led to accusations of mismanagement and potential corruption, prompting the committee to impose a fine of Sh500,000 on Dr. Mutai for his unclear and evasive responses during the inquiry.
During the session, MPs also raised concerns about the Kenya School of Law’s financial management, particularly regarding payments made to part-time lecturers. Reports indicated that some lecturers were paid for services not rendered, further compounding allegations of financial impropriety. The committee noted that the institution’s internal auditor and other key officers were absent during the inquiry, which hindered efforts to clarify critical issues. This absence fueled suspicions of deliberate attempts to obscure accountability.
The Public Investments Committee has directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate Dr. Mutai and other officials involved in the alleged irregularities. The committee emphasized that those found culpable must face legal consequences, signaling a broader push to address corruption and mismanagement in public institutions. The MPs’ call for prosecution aligns with ongoing efforts by the EACC to crack down on procurement-related fraud across various state agencies, as evidenced by recent actions against officials at the Kenya Ports Authority and other entities.
The controversy has sparked significant public and parliamentary concern, with MPs stressing the importance of accountability at the Kenya School of Law, a critical institution responsible for training legal professionals. The committee has given Dr. Mutai and his team a 14-day ultimatum to provide all requested documents to the Auditor General to facilitate a thorough audit. Failure to comply could result in further sanctions or legal action.
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of public institutions in Kenya, with recent audits exposing financial irregularities in various sectors, including education and county governments. The Kenya School of Law’s case underscores the challenges of ensuring transparency and accountability in public procurement, a recurring issue that continues to undermine trust in governance.
As investigations proceed, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how procurement irregularities are addressed in Kenya’s public sector. The public and stakeholders in the legal education sector are closely watching to see whether the EACC and DCI will act swiftly to address the allegations and hold those responsible accountable.