The Public Investment Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy has directed the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to secure unoccupied land belonging to the Authority urgently.
The Committee Chaired by Hon. David Pkosing (Pokot South), observed during the examination of the Kenya Ports Authority’s Audited Accounts for FY 2019/2020 and 2020/2021.
During Committee deliberations today, while questioning the KPA Managing Director, Captain William Ruto, the Committee established that the Authority did not have title deeds for seventeen (17) parcels of land valued at Ksh2,909,300,000.
“Captain, do you realize how the risk of extinction of the Authority’s land is? What measures have you put in place to secure the properties? Have you placed any caveat to prevent any transactions regarding the said parcels? Asked Pkosing.
In his response, Captain Ruto acknowledged that unutilized Authorities’ land was at risk and required to be leased out or disposed of.
“Chair, Some plots were grabbed from KPA and cases are in court while others were consolidated, leading to new titles. Actions to secure new titles are underway”, said Captain Ruto.
He further elaborated that KPA had filed affidavits for the issuance of provisional title and cautions to protect the Authority’s interests.
Sounding unconvinced by management’s responses, Pkosing noted that KPA was moving at a snail’s pace to secure government property, which he said was at risk of being grabbed.
“There seem to be collaborators within who don’t want the issue of KPA Land to be solved. The greatest asset with KPA is land, yet it’s gone. MD, I want you to move with speed and put measures which can include securing caveat to protect KPA Land. “, directed Pkosing.
Other Committee members echoed Pkosing’s sentiments, indicating that recovering actual land will help KPA recover and protect assets.
From the presentations made, the Committee noted management laxity in taking care of KPA properties, especially unutilized property that was left unmanned.
On staff matters, KPA reported that eight employees had been in acting capacity awaiting substantive filling through a competitive process, a move the Committee considered illegal since employees should not be kept in acting capacity for over six months as per the then KPA Human Resource Policy. The HR Policy has since been amended to provide a renewal after the lapse of six months.
The Committee also considered the validity of fuel expenses, the lack of adequate documentation on the repair, renovation, and maintenance of Kisumu Pier and Dock infrastructure, and unsupported trade and other payables.
