Members of Parliament have been locked out of their offices and parking spaces at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) due to unpaid rent.
In a letter dated Friday, May 9, addressed to KICC CEO James Mwaura, the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) confirmed that it is in arrears of Ksh 50,770,421.57.
"The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) is in contract with the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to provide accommodation and parking spaces for Members of Parliament. This relationship has lasted many years, and the PSC has always met its obligations, although sometimes there have been delays due to exchequer and budgetary constraints.
"You may recall that this Financial Year, the PSC has settled previous payments totalling Ksh134 Million, broken down into Ksh73 Million for the year 2023/2024 and Ksh61 Million for the current financial year up to December 2024," the letter read.
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The PSC appealed for continued access to the facilities, including parking at COMESA grounds, while efforts are made to clear the debt.
"The PSC is in the process of seeking of funds to settle the outstanding amounts before the end of the financial year. In view of this, we request that you allow the Members of Parliament to continue accessing the facilities at KICC, including parking at COMESA grounds without interference," the letter further read.
The matter has since been brought to the attention of the Speaker, Moses Wetang’ula, who is also the PSC chairman.
This comes about two months after Riandikira Police Post in Kirinyaga County was closed down due to outstanding rent arrears.
Preliminary reports indicated that the police post, which had been set up at a private building, had accumulated rent arrears amounting to Ksh2 million.
Some of the residents noted that the closure of the police post would lead to a surge in insecurity in the area.
"As the area residents, we are saying that there will be a lot of insecurity cases should the police be moved from here. We know they have also been living here, but we do not know what has led to this," one resident stated.
