The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) is under sharp scrutiny after Members of Parliament exposed shocking gaps in accountability. Lawmakers accuse the authority of theft, mismanagement, and questionable land dealings that robbed Kenyans of millions.
The revelations came during a grilling session by the Public Investments Committee on Social Services (PIC-SSA), chaired by Emmanuel Wangwe.
From missing cheques worth millions to land exchanged for property occupied by squatters, NITA’s leadership is accused of failing to safeguard public resources. The scandal exposes deep rot in one of Kenya’s key institutions.
NITA Theft Uncovered in Parliamentary Grilling
MPs questioned how Ksh355 million, which made up 21 per cent of NITA’s 2016/2017 budget, was left unspent. Instead of clear answers, the authority’s officials presented weak submissions that left lawmakers unimpressed.
The committee also exposed fraudulent activities involving missing cheques worth Ksh12.8 million. The fraud was linked to a former employee. In addition, there were irregular staff advances amounting to Ksh44.5 million and uncollected training levies worth Ksh18.3 million from defaulting employers.
Committee chair Emmanuel Wangwe declared that NITA’s responses were shallow and disorganised, failing to address serious financial gaps. He directed the authority to return with detailed documentation or face tougher consequences.
Dirty Land Deal Puts NITA in the Hot Seat
The most troubling issue involved the loss of prime NITA land in Mombasa. The land was allegedly transferred to private developers in a questionable deal. In return, NITA received a property in Bombolulu.
But the replacement property had already been occupied by squatters since 1996. This meant that the authority was left without usable land, raising suspicions of collusion and theft.
“We need to know who this powerful private developer is and under what circumstances this allocation was made,” Wangwe pressed.
NITA officials could not identify the developers or provide documentation. Their failure prompted MPs to demand urgent intervention to reclaim the land and hold those responsible to account.
Mismanagement and Missing Assets Deepen the Scandal
The audit revealed widespread mismanagement of assets within NITA. Officials failed to present a complete fixed assets register, raising questions about accountability for public resources.
Key ownership documents were missing for major properties, including parcels of land and even a motor vehicle donated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). Such lapses, lawmakers argued, show a deliberate attempt to conceal theft and irregular dealings.
“These submissions are not sufficient. We cannot proceed with such shallow responses to serious audit queries involving public funds,” Wangwe stated firmly.
The committee concluded that NITA had not adequately prepared for the session. The authority was ordered to reorganise and provide full documentation in a follow-up meeting scheduled for October 1, 2025.
A Growing Pattern of Neglect
This scandal adds to a troubling pattern of theft and mismanagement within Kenya’s public institutions. Lawmakers fear that millions meant to train and equip the workforce have been diverted into private pockets.
The PIC-SSA’s findings paint a grim picture of an authority unable—or unwilling—to protect public resources. From land scandals to missing cheques, the evidence points to a network of corruption and poor oversight.
Unless accountability is enforced, Kenya risks losing not only money but also public trust in key institutions. The NITA theft scandal now stands as a test of Parliament’s resolve to punish impunity and safeguard taxpayers’ resources.
