MPs raise alarm over missing land records, vehicle logbooks at State Department for Labour

MPs have raised concerns over weaknesses in asset management at the State Department for Labour and Skills Development after an audit revealed missing ownership documents for eight parcels of government land and 28 motor vehicles without logbooks.

The concerns emerged during a meeting of the National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which examined the Auditor-General's Report for the 2023/2024 financial year on the accounts of the State Department at Bunge Towers in Nairobi.

The Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, appeared before the Committee to respond to the audit queries.

According to the Auditor-General's report, the eight parcels of land have no ownership documents and have consequently been excluded from the Department's asset register.

The report further revealed that 28 of the department's 88 motor vehicles do not have logbooks, raising concerns over accountability and the management of public assets.

Responding to the Committee, PS Mwadime said the parcels are public assets whose ownership documents are currently being regularised.

"The process of acquiring title deeds for the parcels began last year, and we are following up to ensure the documentation is completed," he said.

On the missing vehicle logbooks, he explained that most of the affected vehicles were transferred from other government entities, including the Ministry of Education, while others are awaiting processing by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

The PS told the Committee that the Department is following up with the relevant agencies to facilitate the issuance and transfer of the logbooks.

Committee members said the audit findings highlighted gaps in asset management and underscored the need for public institutions to maintain accurate and up-to-date asset registers.

"Maintaining an updated asset register is the only way to eliminate theft, losses, wastage and misuse of government resources," Committee Chair Tindi Mwale said.

The Committee's review forms part of Parliament's oversight role to ensure public institutions address audit concerns and strengthen accountability in the management of government assets.