Auditor General uncovers missing land titles, asset records in 20 counties
The counties found to have these gaps include Elgeyo Marakwet, Nakuru, Kakamega, Lamu, Kisii, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Isiolo, Bomet, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nairobi, Kwale, Nyeri, Busia, Migori, and Kiambu.
A recent audit by the Auditor General, Nancy Gathungu, has uncovered that nearly 20 counties lack proper ownership documents for land they inherited from the now-defunct local authorities.
In addition, these counties do not have logbooks for several vehicles and equipment under their control, raising serious concerns about asset management and transparency at the county level.
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The counties found to have these gaps include Elgeyo Marakwet, Nakuru, Kakamega, Lamu, Kisii, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Isiolo, Bomet, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nairobi, Kwale, Nyeri, Busia, Migori, and Kiambu.
According to the report, “Review of County Executives’ records revealed that 19 County Executives did not have ownership documents.”
Moreover, the audit shows that 21 counties failed to update their fixed assets registers to include inherited assets or newly acquired items during the year.
This lack of updating means the asset registers do not reflect the true state of county resources.
Turkana, Homa Bay, Kitui, and Kiambu counties were also criticised for not disclosing some assets and inventory balances in their financial statements despite possessing them.
These assets cover land and buildings, furniture, motor vehicles, and ICT equipment.
The report points out that this goes against IPSAS 17 rules, which require entities to recognise property, plant, and equipment to allow users of financial statements to properly assess investments and monitor changes over time.
“However, this is an improvement from the previous financial year, where eight county executives had similar non-disclosure issues, indicating some progress in compliance with financial reporting standards,” it reads further.
In Nakuru, the county government lacks title deeds for 966 parcels of land, and logbook details for 445 vehicles are missing from the asset register.
There are also land disputes involving a 4.17-acre parcel in Mbombo, Elementainta ward, and another site in Elburgon Township, both without consent or search certificates from the Lands Control Board.
Lamu County is reported to have 20 parcels without ownership documents, while Taita Taveta has 665 parcels across departments that lack these papers. Nairobi County is still without ownership documents for the Dandora dumpsite.
Kiambu leads in missing land titles with 2,762 parcels unaccounted for, and several title deeds in its possession are either not in the county’s name or belong to defunct local authorities or individuals.
Kakamega County is also under scrutiny for lacking ownership documents and lease agreements for the County Aggregation and Industrial Park in Likuyani Sub-County.
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