Angry Residents Lock Out Rurii MCA From Office Over Three-Year Rent Arrears

A Member of County Assembly (MCA) found himself locked out of his office after angry residents of Rurii ward in Nyandarua took matters into their own hands, closing down his office over rent arrears accumulating for close to three years.

The disgruntled locals staged demonstrations near the offices, standing in solidarity with the building owner, Hannah Wangari, who alleged harassment by police officers and county staff for demanding payment of the rent amounting to Ksh280,000. 

Wangari, a widow, claimed that she had not received rent for 28 months accusing the area MCA of giving excuses whenever she sought payment. 

“I rented out this building to the MCA, but he has not paid rent for 28 months. He always asks me for my bank, identification, and plot details, but he never acts on it. He always lies to me that I will be summoned to write a statement to finalise payment, but nothing happens,” the irate Wangari lamented.

The irate residents vowed to keep the offices closed until the outstanding debt owed by Thinji was fully cleared.

Further, they called upon Governor Andrew Badilisha to step in and solve the crisis, as the lack of presence by the MCA was crippling essential services to the area residents.

“We want to call upon Governor Badilisha to solve this issue (rent arrears by MCA Thinji). We elected this MCA, and we were to get bursaries for our children. The kids have been left at home, and the office has been closed because of rent,” one of the residents asserted. 

On his part, the MCA remained mum on the matter and did not issue a statement regarding the same.

The clamour by the residents comes just two days after Governor Badilisha issued a plea to President William Ruto requesting the revival of the JM Kariuki Hospital Complex.

Badilisha pleaded with the national government to add more funds to the project as the county was running out of capacity to fund it. According to the governor, the county had already spent Ksh1 billion on the construction of the complex, but it is not done yet.

Speaking during a sight visit on Thursday, January 23, the governor revealed that the projected total cost exceeds Ksh1.5 billion, emphasising the urgent need for additional funds to complete it.

“The JM Mashujaa structural works are almost complete, and the remaining works, which are the installation of medical glasses, theatres, and mechanical works, among other finer finishes, are the biggest task now. We are appealing to the national government or any other donors to facilitate us with Ksh500 million to complete the facility,” he said.

The complex, which is part of the JM Memorial Hospital, which was built to commemorate Kenya’s socialist politician JM Kariuki, is expected to elevate the county’s healthcare capacity by providing Nyandarua with a Level 6 hospital.

It is expected to spare county residents the inconvenience and financial burden of travelling long distances to access some specialised medical services.