Nairobi, Jan. 12 -- The government lost Sh458.2 million over four financial years due to systemic weaknesses in the disbursement and utilisation of textbook funds in public schools.

A special audit by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu also faulted the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) for failing to include the purchase of textbooks in its procurement plans.

The special audit on capitation and infrastructure grants in public schools, covering the financial years 2020/21 to 2023/24, exposed massive irregularities, including the distribution of textbooks for subjects not offered in schools, non-delivery and delayed delivery of books.

The audit sampled 442 secondary schools, 339 junior schools and 336 primary schools.

During ...