How mounting rent arrears have forced closure of Kisii ward office

Residents of Kisii County are facing significant difficulties as the Ichuni Ward office has been closed for ten months due to unpaid rent. The office's closure has left people without a convenient location to access essential county services, forcing them to seek assistance on the streets. Area MCA Wycliffe Siocha has called for intervention from Governor Simba Arati to clear the outstanding rent and reopen the office.

He expressed frustration that residents have been denied services due to the county government's failure to settle the arrears. The closure has angered residents who rely on the ward office for access to county administration. The current office was established after the first one was demolished on private land. Residents expressed their frustration over the prolonged closure, stating that they should not suffer due to a dispute between the county government and its landlord.

They argue that the ward office is crucial for bringing services closer to them. The situation has also made it challenging for residents to follow up on county programs and administrative matters. John Getutwa questioned why the county administration allowed the arrears to accumulate for such a long period. MCA Siocha urged the governor to treat the matter as an emergency and intervene to clear the rent and reopen the office.

He warned that continued closure could further frustrate residents and undermine devolution. Residents are now demanding an urgent resolution to the dispute, emphasizing that the ward office should be reopened before the disruption becomes permanent.