MPs and the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) staff have been locked out of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) over Sh50 million arrears.

This, even as sources within Parliament claimed, that in some instances, KICC has plucked out power fuses and locked all toilets, sending the place into darkness.

A lawmaker who spoke to People Daily on condition of anonymity disclosed that he had been affected.

Yesterday, the Senate informed members that they had been locked out due to arrears and regretted the inconvenience.

“Good morning, Hon. Senators. This is to bring to your attention that owing to unpaid rent arrears, the KICC management have locked us out of our offices at KICC and parking,” reads part of the notice to senators.

The notice further reads: “The rent for KICC is payable from the Parliamentary Joint Services, Vote 2043.  We have been informed that efforts are being made to address the situation. The inconvenience caused to Members and staff is highly regretted.”

The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has been in contract with KICC to provide accommodation and parking for MPs.

Parliamentary Joint Services Director General Clement Nyandiere has written to KICC requesting that members be allowed to use the facilities even as they work on modalities of clearing the arrears.

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In a letter dated May 9, 2025 to KICC Chief Executive Officer James Mwaura and copied to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who also chairs PSC, Parliament is seeking to have its members access KICC facilities without interference.

“PSC is in the process of seeking of funds to settle the outstanding amounts before the end of the financial year. In view of this, we request that you allow MPs to continue accessing the facilities at KICC including parking at COMESA grounds without interference,” reads part of the letter.

According to Nyandiere, the relationship between KICC and Parliament has lasted for years and PSC has always met its obligations, although sometimes there have been delays.

PSC has settled a previous debt of Sh134 million, broken down into Sh73 million for 2023/24 and Sh61 million for the 2024/25 financial years, respectively up to December 2024.

However, when contacted Mwaura said he was not aware that MPs and other staff had been locked out of their offices and stopped from accessing the Comesa parking.

According to Mwaura, the origin of the letter is Nyandiere, who should authenticate the allegations and not KICC.

“I can see the letter is from Mr Nyandiere. He is the only one who can confirm the contents of his letter. As far as we are concerned, the letter has not reached its end,” said Mwaura.

He went on: “I can see vehicles parked at the Comesa grounds. I do not know who has been blocked and when. Verify from those who have been blocked.”

In the financial year 2025/26 budget, Parliament has been allocated Sh42.5 billion, which comprises of Sh41.1 billion for recurrent and Sh1.4 billion for development expenditure.