Busia MCAs audit over county rent arrears

Busia County Assembly Committee on Public Administration has kicked off an audit of tenancy documents and address escalating rent arrears and discrepancies owed to private landlords.

The oversight exercise was triggered by a motion sponsored by Bukhayo East Member of County Assembly (MCA) Eunice Wandera.

The motion mandated the committee to investigate the operational status of leased ward premises, verify the legitimacy of active lease agreements, and establish actionable measures by the executive to settle all outstanding liabilities.

During the audit, the committee led by Chairperson Richard Mudibo and Vice Chairperson Achieng Ochieng toured various administrative offices in Samia and Bunyala sub-counties, where they uncovered substantial debt accumulation and glaring record discrepancies.

Exposing the extent of the unpaid bills, Committee Chairperson Richard Mudibo expressed deep concern over liabilities that have remained unpaid for nearly four years.

"It is deeply concerning that the county executive has allowed rent arrears to accumulate since 2021 without resolution. Landlords who have offered their facilities to serve the public deserve prompt compensation, and we cannot allow administrative inertia to strain relations between the local government and property owners," said Mudibo