The Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture raised concerns that Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) has not insured its book collection, valued at Sh1.069 billion, a shortfall first identified in a 2018 audit.

Committee Vice‑Chair Caleb Amisi asked why an agency whose core mandate is to preserve books lacks insurance, noting that the institution also holds donated titles worth Sh88.2 million.

Director General Charles Nzivo explained that the absence of a formal book depreciation policy has prevented calculation of a net book value needed for insurance, and that guidance from the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board issued in June 2024 is now being incorporated.

Nzivo added that attempts to secure suitable cover have been hampered by a lack of willing insurers, despite outreach to local underwriters and foreign library networks.

The committee also flagged governance concerns, noting that KNLS held 18 board meetings in the last financial year—exceeding the authorised limit of 10—and incurred Sh11.31 million in expenses without written approval from the parent ministry.

Staffing shortfalls were highlighted, with only 168 of the 317 approved positions filled, leaving 149 vacancies; management has requested an annual allocation of Sh279.4 million from the Treasury to recruit 152 employees.

The Upper Hill headquarters project, originally awarded in March 2012 at Sh2.055 billion, has escalated to Sh2.409 billion amid delays, prompting further scrutiny of cost management.

Committee Chair Emmanuel Wangwe instructed KNLS to submit additional documentation by 21 October 2026 and to resolve land‑title issues for 35 parcels valued at over Sh430 million that currently lack proper deeds.

Nzivo confirmed ongoing collaboration with county governments to secure the missing title documents and asked the committee to help recover outstanding payments owed to KNLS by other state agencies.