The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Members of Parliament and staff from the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) have been barred from accessing offices at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) due to unpaid rent amounting to KSh 50 million.
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Sources within Parliament allege that KICC management has resorted to drastic measures—reportedly cutting power by removing fuses and locking washrooms—leaving the facility unusable.
One legislator, speaking anonymously to a local newspaper confirmed being affected by the lockout.
The Senate officially notified its members about the lockout on Tuesday, attributing it to outstanding rent arrears and apologizing for the disruption.
“Good morning, Hon. Senators. Please be informed that, due to unpaid rent, KICC management has locked our offices and parking access,” read part of a notice circulated to senators.
The notice added that the rent is paid through the Parliamentary Joint Services under Vote 2043 and that efforts are underway to resolve the issue. The inconvenience caused was described as regrettable.
KICC has been hosting parliamentary offices and providing parking under a long-standing agreement with the PSC. In response to the current situation, Parliamentary Joint Services Director General Clement Nyandiere wrote to KICC CEO James Mwaura on May 9, 2025, requesting continued access to the facilities while the debt issue is resolved.
In his letter, copied to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Nyandiere assured KICC that PSC is sourcing funds to settle the debt before the end of the financial year. He asked that MPs be allowed to use their offices and parking at the COMESA grounds in the meantime.
Nyandiere noted that while PSC has experienced delays before, it has consistently met its financial obligations to KICC. He cited the settlement of a prior KSh 134 million debt—comprising KSh 73 million for the 2023/24 fiscal year and KSh 61 million for 2024/25 (up to December 2024).
However, when contacted, KICC CEO Mwaura claimed he was unaware of the lockout and said he had not received the letter in question.
“The letter appears to be from Mr. Nyandiere. He is the one who can confirm its authenticity. As of now, we have not officially received it,” said Mwaura.
He added, “I can still see vehicles parked at COMESA. I don’t know who exactly has been denied access. You would need to confirm with those affected.”
In the 2025/26 budget, Parliament has been allocated KSh 42.5 billion—KSh 41.1 billion for recurrent expenses and KSh 1.4 billion for development projects.
