The state holds Sh55 billion in unclaimed assets.
According to the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority, a reunification exercise is being carried out across the country to educate and ensure people claim their assets.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Pius Kimutai said in Nakuru that the agency had received Sh57 billion in unclaimed assets but had only reunited Kenyans with Sh2 billion.
The funds have been accumulated since 2014.
Kimutai stated that they have partnered with various government bodies, including the National Government Administration Officers and Huduma Kenya, to expedite claims.
“The authority so far has received roughly Sh57 billion assets belonging to Kenyans. We have managed to reunite Kenyans with Sh2 billion. When you look at what we have received and paid out there is a big difference,” he said.
He stated that there are Kenyans who are unaware that their assets are being held by the Authority.
He stated that they would reach people at the grassroots level through their collaboration with local administrators.
In addition, he stated that the USSD code #361# was launched to assist Kenyans in checking and claiming any unclaimed property.
Mwai Kihu, a director, stated that the agency has not been doing well in terms of reunification.
“We have united only 6 per cent of what we have, and this is not good. We are upping our game, and what we have realised is not many know about our existence,” he said.
He stated that they would travel to other counties to educate residents on the importance of claiming their assets. He stated that they do not want to be in another stage of holding funds that could be circulating.
Huduma Kenya, he said, will play an important role, and the authority will use the many centres spread across the country.
Kihu stated that some Kenyans have refrained from claiming assets because the amount owed to them is small, and that acquiring the assets necessitates the appointment of an oath commissioner.
“We are removing the requirement to have one get a commissioner of oaths and have a provision where the beneficiary can donate the money,” he said.
Huduma Kenya CEO Ben Kai said the authority would be able to reach many villages by using the Huduma Mashinani platform.
“As Huduma Kenya we are here to ensure that any government department and agency can get a platform to easily give effective, efficient and seamless services,” he said.
