Embu County Government has recovered 138 vehicles from the defunct local authorities through the assistance of the State Agency, Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC).
Speaking Monday, while handing over the vehicles to Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo, IGRTC Committee Member Dr. Perminus Nyaga said the move enables the devolved unit to have full ownership of the vehicles and effectively put them to use to enhance service delivery.
He said since the advent of devolution following the passage of the 2010 Constitution, the transfer of assets relating to the defunct local authorities to counties has remained pending, exposing them to theft or misuse.
“Our aim is to assist counties in recovering assets that could be in the hands of individuals or not enlisted in the asset lists,” Dr. Nyaga said.
He said a number of assets had gone missing in many counties and called for the administrations to work with staff inherited from the defunct authorities to assist in recovery.
“These workers have institutional memories that could be very valuable in identifying those missing assets or those that were illegally sold,” he said.
He said government agencies such as NTSA, KRA, and other relevant bodies were at hand to assist counties in acquiring what is rightfully theirs.
Additionally, Dr. Nyaga sounded a warning to those who may have embezzled or run away with public land and houses to return them before the law catches up with them.
He added that they were also seeking to transfer resources that belong to all the devolved functions.
“The work is already done; we already have public participation, and once we are through with the legal processes, it will be the law that resources must follow those functions,” he said.
The Deputy Governor commended the agency for the move, saying the vehicles would greatly assist in improving service delivery.
At the same time, Mugo appealed to those who may be holding on to county assets, including houses and land, to surrender them before they were forcefully recovered and legal action taken against them.
By Samuel Waititu
