Abstract

The government of Kenya allocates between 35 to 40 percent of the total budget to education. It is essential that public funds be directed effectively and used for the purposes for which they are allocated for. This study was therefore set to establish the perceptions of stakeholders on the effect of financial mismanagement on physical facilities in public secondary schools in Gucha district. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The study population consisted of 126 headteachers, 126 heads of departments, 126 Board of governors‟ chairpersons, 126 bursars, 1011 teachers, and 10 quality assurance officers. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 5 boarding schools, 37 day schools, 42 headteachers, 42 Bursars, 42 heads of departments, 42 BOG chairpersons, 337 teachers while purposive sampling was used to select 10 quality assurance and standards officers. Data was collected by the use of questionnaire, interviews schedule, Focus group discussions and observation forms. Data collected were analyzed using both Quantitative and qualitative methods. The study established that financial mismanagement had adversely affected physical facilities. From the study it was concluded that mismanagement had affected the quality of education negatively. Based on the findings of the study it therefore emerged the need for financial training for all stakeholders involved in financial management directly and indirectly.