Several Huduma Centers Facing Closure over Sh1.7 Billion Rent Arrears

Several Huduma Centers across the country are facing closure due to rent arrears amounting to nearly Sh2 billion.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and National Security, Public Service Principal Secretary Mary Kimonye said her ministry owes the Postal Corporation of Kenya, which hosts most of the Huduma Centers, Sh1.7 billion in unpaid rent.

“Posta is demanding Sh1.7 billion in rent arrears that have accumulated for hosting the Huduma Centers. Some of the Huduma Centers are now being evicted and government data risks being compromised,” PS Kimonye said.

She expressed fears that crucial government data could be at risk as Posta has started renting out stalls around Huduma Centers. “PCK is licensing kiosks in their premises around the Huduma Centers hence posing a huge threat of compromising crucial government data,” she added.

Kimonye urged parliament to allocate more funds to the ministry in the coming financial year to enable them to acquire Posta premises or other government-owned facilities to host Huduma Centers.

There are at least 50 Huduma Centres spread across the country, offering government services to thousands of Kenyans daily.

Huduma Centre was launched by President Kenyatta in 2013 and acts as a one-stop office where Kenyans can get government services including issuance and replacement of ID cards, renewal of drivers' licenses, registration of self-help groups, CBOs and welfare societies, search and registration of business names, student Helb loan application, and many others.