The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) has come under sharp scrutiny after Members of Parliament (MPs) exposed shocking financial mismanagement, missing millions, and questionable land transactions that have left taxpayers counting losses.
During a heated session before the Public Investments Committee on Social Services (PIC-SS) chaired by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, NITA officials struggled to account for massive financial gaps, prompting MPs to accuse the authority of institutional failure and deliberate concealment.
Sh355 Million Unspent and Missing Cheques
The most alarming revelation was that Ksh355 million remained unspent during the 2016/2017 financial year — nearly 21% of NITA’s total budget. MPs demanded answers on why such significant funds were left idle despite Kenya’s pressing unemployment crisis.
On top of this, the committee unearthed reports of missing cheques worth Ksh12.8 million, allegedly linked to fraudulent activities by a former employee. There were also irregular staff advances totaling Ksh44.5 million and uncollected training levies of Ksh18.3 million from defaulting employers who were never held accountable.
Dubious Land Deal in Mombasa
Perhaps the most controversial revelation was a land swap deal in Mombasa that appeared to benefit private developers at the expense of taxpayers.
NITA allegedly transferred a prime parcel of land to unnamed developers in exchange for a Bombolulu property occupied by squatters since 1996. This left NITA effectively empty-handed while powerful private individuals gained valuable public land.
“We need to know who this powerful private developer is and under what circumstances this allocation was made,” Wangwe demanded, expressing frustration at NITA’s inability to identify the developers or provide documents.
Missing Assets and Poor Record-Keeping
Audit findings also showed that NITA lacks a comprehensive fixed assets register and could not provide ownership documents for major assets, including land parcels and even a motor vehicle donated by UNIDO.
Such lapses raise suspicions of gross incompetence or deliberate attempts to obscure asset mismanagement, making it nearly impossible to track how public resources have been used.
MPs Lose Patience
As NITA officials gave “shallow and disorganized” answers, MPs grew increasingly frustrated.
“These submissions are not sufficient. We cannot proceed with such shallow responses to serious audit queries involving public funds,” said Wangwe.
The committee adjourned the session and ordered NITA to return with comprehensive documentation by October 1, 2025, giving the authority two weeks to provide records that should have been readily available.
Implications for Skills Development
The scandal comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with high unemployment rates and a widening skills gap. As the agency tasked with industrial training, NITA plays a crucial role in workforce development.
The revelation that millions may have been mismanaged or stolen undermines confidence in its ability to deliver on this mandate. For millions of unemployed youth, every shilling lost represents missed opportunities for training and empowerment.
Will Accountability Follow?
The case is now being seen as a litmus test for parliamentary oversight. While MPs have exposed the scandals, the public will be watching to see if those responsible face real consequences — or if the matter fades into yet another cycle of impunity.
Unless meaningful reforms and prosecutions follow, the NITA saga risks becoming another symbol of Kenya’s broken governance, where public resources are squandered while citizens struggle under economic hardship.