REUNIFICATION PROCESS OF UNCLAIMED FINANCIAL ASSETS AND ITS SUCCESS RATE IN KENYA
Abstract
This study explored the effect of the reunification process of unclaimed financial assets on its success rate in Kenya. The objectives were to determine the effect of the search for unclaimed financial assets, the claims filling process, and other collaborative initiatives on the success rate of reunification in Kenya. Theories were theory of escheatment. The study design was descriptive. Census sampling was used to sample all the 32 employees as respondents in the study. A questionnaire and an interview schedule were used. Descriptive and inferential statistics through multiple linear regression were utilized in analyzing the data. The study established that unclaimed assets alters success rate of reunification in Kenya and was statistically significant hence the null hypothesis was rejected. Claim filling process was also found significant and altered the success rate of reunification in Kenya hence the null hypothesis was also rejected. lastly, the collaborative initiative alteration led to success rate of reunification in Kenya. The t-values was significant hence the null hypothesis is rejected. Therefore, all the objectives had significant influence on the success rate of reunification in Kenya. P-values were less than the adopted threshold P <0.05) hence all the null hypothesis were rejected. The study endorsed that in order to ensure better transparency to the authority by holders of the actions taken to contact specific clients prior to surrendering assets to the UFAA, the Unclaimed Financial Authority (UFAA) should create robust systems. Additionally, the UFAA should put up a system for the prudent handling of unclaimed financial assets across all industries. Additionally, the authority has to implement consistent accounting and reporting standards for these assets across all industries and run effective public education and financial literacy initiatives. Laws and regulations on such assets should be reviewed to revise the charges incurred in the claiming process.
References
Grimes, J. S. (1969). Escheat in Indiana and the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act of 1967. Valparaiso University Law Review, 4(1), 43-84.
Guguyu, O. (2022a, January 24). Unclaimed assets hit Sh55bn as owners keep off. Business Daily, pp. https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/unclaimed-assets-hit-sh55bn-as-owners-keep-off-3691674.
Guguyu, O. (2022b, January 31). Treasury red tape delays reforms to ease Sh55bn unclaimed assets access. Business Daily, pp.
Kakai, F. (2018). A critical evaluation of the regime of the law and procedures on unclaimed financial assets. Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya School of Law.
Kanyi, R. (2014). Effect of unclaimed assets on the performance of life assurance companies in Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya: University of Nairobi.
Kimosop, V. K. (2010). A comparative study on the management of unclaimed financial assets: Kenya and other developed countries: 2000 - 2010. Nairobi, Kenya: University of Nairobi.
Kumar, R. (2018). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. Sage.
Laboso, D. C. (2022). Unclaimed financial assets and the financial performance of telecommunication industry in Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya: Kenyatta University.
Mudambo, N. A. (2021). A data pipeline architecture for classification of potential claimants in reunification of unclaimed financial assets. Nairobi, Kenya: KCA University.
Muindi, C. (2022, March 31). Government launches UFAA, Huduma Kenya partnership. Retrieved from Kenya News Agency: https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/government-launches-ufaa-huduma-kenya-partnership/
Mukherjee, A. (2020). Abandoned retirement savings: Evidence from unclaimed property. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin.
Musungu, D. (2019, October 10). Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority Partner With Interior Ministry. Retrieved from Kenya News Agency: https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/unclaimed-financial-assets-authority-partner-with-interior-ministry/
Ngunjiri, M. M. (2019). Effects on unclaimed financial assets on the financial performance of deposit taking savings and credit cooperatives in Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya: University of Nairobi.
Nyabaro, K. O. (2020). Effects of unclaimed assets on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya: United States International University - Africa.
Nyang'au, J. A., Muturi, D. W., & Abuga, D. V. (2016). The influence of unclaimed financial assets on the performance of commercial banks in Kenya: A case study of Equity Bank, Kisii branch. International Journal of Social Science and Information Technology, 2(7), 691-701.
Owolabi, S. A., & Obida, S. S. (2013). Unclaimed dividend: Matters arising. Singaporean Journal of Business Economics, and Management Studies 1(6), 30-47.
Sarite, S. K., & Bosire, N. N. (2016). Assessment of the causes of unclaimed assets in financial institutions listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange. A case of Kenya Commercial Bank. International Journal of Economics & Finance (IJEF), 2(1)1, 102-121.
Shafie, F., Zahari, W. Y., & Dawilah al-Edrus, S. M. (2014). Islamic real estate management: Review on issues and challenges in managing inheritance property in Malaysia. 7th International Real Estate Research Symposium 2014 (pp. 1-14). Kuala Lumpur: IRERS.
The Auditor General. (2020). Report of the auditor general on the unclaimed financial assets trust fund. Nairobi, Kenya: Office of the Auditor General.
The National Treasury. (2015, September 2015). Unclaimed assets agency holding Ksh3.3 billion. Retrieved from MyGov: http://www.mygov.go.ke/?p=4273
Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority. (2021, August 16). UFAA opens online claimes to facilitate unclaimed financial assets disbursement [Press Release]. Retrieved from Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority: http://ufaa.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/UFAA-Press-Release_August-2021.doc