The Charity Commission has opened a statutory class inquiry into four linked charities after “finding irregularities in their accounts”.

The probe focuses on the finances of Education for Gondar, Education in Sidama, Education for Nyanza and Education in Western Province, Kenya.

Analysis of Education of Gondar and Education in Sidama’s accounts by the regulator found that there was a “pattern of receiving funds that were then immediately transferred to a private bank account”.

The inquiry will seek to understand how each charity is generating and applying funds received”.

All charities were set up to support the education of young people in their respective areas in Africa.

One trustee at Education for Gondar is linked to the other three charities and all four share “a similar structure”, the regulator found.

The Charity Commission also discovered that Education for Gondar’s accounts for the year ending January 2022 do not match information supplied in its annual return.

This raises “concerns that the Commission has received inaccurate information”, said the regulator.

We've opened a statutory inquiry into four education charities after identifying concerns that there could be a risk to charitable funds or assets.

Read more: https://t.co/SQPrTIZQAN pic.twitter.com/8B3T70ei9l

— Charity Commission (@ChtyCommission) March 20, 2024

According to the charities register Education for Gondar’s latest annual return is 112 days late. Its income for the year ending January 2022 was £195,125 and its spending was £50,006.

Similarly, Education in Sidama is 84 days late in filing its annual returns. Its last filed returns for the year ending February 20222 show it’s income was £238,750 and it spent £59,687.

Meanwhile, Education for Nyanza’s latest accounts are 112 overdue. It did not record any spending and expenditure for the year ending January 2022.

Education in Western Province, Kenya’s account are 84 days overdue and it also did not record any spending or expenditure for its most recently submitted accounts, for the year ending February 2022.

“All charities submitted very similar annual returns and so the regulator will also investigate the accuracy of the information supplied by the other three charities,” added the Commission.

“The charities have since failed to supply their latest annual accounting information on time. Trustees are responsible for ensuring that their charity’s accounts are filed on time and in full as part of their legal duties.”

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