Written By John Mutiso 📝
A crisis is looming if the government does not intervene and save some of its Huduma Centres from imminent closure due to rental arrears.
A report by Business Daily on Thursday, February 3, indicated that at least half of Huduma Centres countrywide were facing eviction over rental arrears amounting to Ksh1.7 billion.
The money is owed to the government owned Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK).
According to Public Service Principal Secretary Mary Kimonye who was speaking before the Parliamentary Administration and Security Committee,she argued that should PCK proceed with the closure of the crucial facilities, public data would be put at risk.
“Posta is demanding Sh1.7 billion in rent arrears that have accumulated for hosting the Huduma Centres. Some of the Huduma Centres are now being evicted and government data risks being compromised,” she said according to the publication.
Some of the centres that are at risk of eviction include the famous Nairobi GPO and others in Kakamega, Nakuru, Meru, Mombasa, Machakos, Kisii and Bungoma.
While appearing before the committee, Kimonye also appealed to Parliament to increase the financial allocation to the sector as it plays a crucial role in service delivery.
“Some of the Huduma Centres are very small like Embu and there is a need to acquire a bigger space,” she added.
Some of the services offered include National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) among others.
Since inception, Huduma Centres have faced numerous challenges ranging from fires and effects of the pandemic, which disrupted in-person service delivery.
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