Transition body seeks Sh5bn to compile list of public assets

The Transition Authority (TA) is seeking Sh5 billion to enable it compile an inventory of public assets and liabilities set for allocation to the central and county governments.

The authority disclosed that there has been no list detailing assets and liabilities of the government since 1963.

“The government has no register of its assets since independence. This is going to be a very expensive exercise that we estimate will cost between Sh3 and Sh5 billion,” authority chairman Kinuthia Wamwangi said on Friday during a forum called to validate regulations for transfer of assets and liabilities.

The validation would pave the way for the regulations to be published in the Kenya Gazette.

Mr Wamwangi said the authority would revoke transfers of public assets being done by ministries, state corporations, and local authorities, despite a government moratorium on such transactions, until after the March 4, General Election.

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“Some people have acquired public land and backdated the certificates. Others are planning to walk away with government vehicles, cups, or spoons. Some are employing people to man functions that are supposed to be transferred to counties,” he said.

In other cases, he said, some government officials were entering into long term contracts on functions that are supposed to be transferred to county governments in an effort to frustrate their transfer.

“This is aimed at incurring liabilities on the part of the functions to be transferred, thus making it impossible for governors or counties to take them over,” he added.

A committee comprising permanent secretaries, the authority, and non state actors set to be published in the Kenya Gazette this week would review all transactions.

Those found to be irregular would be cancelled and officials found to have engaged in fraudulent activities prosecuted.

“We will freeze and recover any assets transferred or acquired irregularly under section 35 of the TA Act. We ask Kenyans to be on the lookout and help us guard against disposal of public assets,” Mr Wamwangi appealed.

The committee will audit assets and liabilities of public entities and has power to compel production of records and other information regarding public assets.

In August, the authority asked ministries, government departments, and state corporations to submit lists of their assets and liabilities but they did not heed.