A crisis is looming should the government fail to 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).
Speaking before the Parliamentary Administration and Security Committee, Public Service Principal Secretary Mary Kimonye 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 stated according to the publication.
Among 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 since it played 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.
Among the services offered include National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) among others.
Since its inception, Huduma Centres have faced numerous challenges ranging from fires and effects of the pandemic, which disrupted in-person service delivery.
In September 2021, Huduma Centres experienced technical malfunctions and Kenyans could not access the crucial services offered at the moment.
Around the same time, fire engulfed the ninth floor of Kisumu Huduma Centre building leading to loss of crucial documents.
Among the items that were destroyed included office computers, office files, and furniture. It was later determined that the fire was an act of arson.