Nakuru County offices closed due to rent arrears

County Public Service Board offices at Giddo Plaza in Nakuru town have been shut down following non-payment of rent arrears amounting to Sh12 million.

Board members, who were recently put in a spot over irregularly pocketing Sh1.3 million accommodation allowances, have been holding meetings in hotels for the past two weeks. The Standard on Saturday visited the offices along Geoffrey Kamau Way on Friday and found the door chained and a huge padlock on it.

Members of the public were turned away by security guards who said the offices were locked down two weeks ago after the occupants failed to pay rent on time. "The management of the building closed down the office two weeks ago over rent issues. We hear they owe the owner Sh12 million," said one of the security guards.

Board chairman Waithanji Mutiti said they had a challenge paying rent but referred us to the County Secretary, Joseph Motari who said he was out of the country on official business. "We have issues with our landlord over rent arrears amounting to millions of shillings but the issue can best be addressed by Mr Motari who procures office space for the county officials," Dr Waithanji said. The incident comes at a time when the Office of the Auditor General faulted the board over payments done in the Financial Year 2013/2015.