Kenyans urged to go for Sh55b unclaimed assets

To facilitate quick claims, Kimutai said they have teamed up with various government bodies, including the National Government Administration Officers and Huduma Kenya.

"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 noted that there are Kenyans whose assets are being held by the Authority and are not aware of.

Through their partnership with local administrators, he said, they would reach people at the grassroots level.

Additionally, he said the use of USSD code #361# was launched to help Kenyans check and claim if any of their property lies unclaimed.

Mwai Kihu, a director, said 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.

Value of unclaimed assets now Sh13b

He said they would visit other counties to educate locals on the importance of claiming their assets. He said they do not want to be in another stage of holding funds that could be circulating.

Huduma Kenya, he noted, will play a critical role, and the authority will use the many centres across the country.

Kihu said some Kenyans had shied away from claiming assets after realising the amount owed to them was small, adding that acquiring the assets requires one to get a commissioner of oaths.

"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.