By PSCU
The Sports and Culture ministry owes the Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) KSh63 million in unpaid rent arrears, a House Committee has been told.
KNLS Chief Executive Officer Dr Charles Nzivo told the National Assembly Sports and Culture Committee that the Sports ministry vacated the premises in Parklands without settling the debt.
“We were housing the Sports ministry here but they left to their new offices at Talanta Hela House leaving us with a huge debt that they have not settled since then,” Dr Nzivo told Committee members during a meeting chaired by Dan Wanyama at Maktaba Kuu house.
He added: “Our efforts to have the ministry settle the debt has hit a dead end and we are requesting for the Committee’s intervention to have the money paid”.
Wanyama who took issue with the ministry for not settling the debt asked the CEO to them a demand letter so that the Committee can use the document to follow up.
“Write a demand letter to the ministry and the Committee will use it as a basis to compel them to settle the rent arrears,” said the Webuye West MP.
Dr Nzivo told the committee that KNLS required KSh90 million for repairs and maintainance of their three stations in Nakuru, Buruburu and the headquarters at Parklands.
“The state of our offices in Nakuru and Buruburu are deteriorating. They have not been repaired for more than 13 years and they need a facelift,” he said as he requested for more money for maintenance of the same.
The committee members advised the CEO to use experts to prepare bills of quantity that will guide them on my exactly how much money they required for maintenance and repairs of the institutions.
“As you are asking for more allocation for maintenance and repairs you should specify through a break down on how much each institution requires for the works to be done,” said Wanyama.
Dr Nzivo revealed that the KNLS collected KSh95 million yearly from services they provided to their clients including members of the public.
He explained, “We collect a total of KSh 75 million from rent and additional KSh20 million from other services provided to clients.
He said the funds were being used to pay for electricity, water and internet bills among others.
He further told the Committee that Ksh375 were being disbursed to the KNLS from the exchequer noting that the funds were directed to paying personal monuments such as salaries and medical covers for staff among others.
Busia County MP Catherine Amanyo asked KNLS management to expand their wings in revenue generation to be able to be financially stable.
“You need to invest the money you collect as revenue in real estate in the city to be able to generate more income and be financially sound,” said Amanyo.
Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) is responsible for promoting libraries, preserving national documents, and providing library services.
