Outa, Midiwo among politicians facing eviction over unpaid rent

Three senior politicians and the wife of a former Kisumu County Secretary are facing eviction over rent arrears running into millions of shillings.

Kisumu Senator Fred Outa, former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, Nyakach parliamentary aspirant Mr Erick Okeyo and Pamela Olang’o, wife of former Kisumu County secretary Dr Olang’o Onudi were given seven days to settle the arrears or face eviction.

The move by Governor Nyong’o through acting City Manager Abala Wanga is likely to further worsen the frosty relationship he has had with Mr Outa and Dr Onudi.

A letter sent to Mr Outa dated October 13, 2020 signed by Mr Wanga, claims that the senator has not made paid rent since he occupied his Milimani residence and owes Sh1.7 million.

“In view of the aforesaid, you are hereby given seven days from the date hereof to ensure payment is done. Failure to which the tenancy will be terminated henceforth without any further reference to you,” said Mr Wanga.

Demolished

The notice elapsed on October 20. From Mr Okeyo, the chairman of the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority, the county government is claiming Sh5.4 million.

He was given up to October 12 to vacate the premises. Mr Okeyo had gone to court seeking to stop the eviction, but the case was dismissed on March 15 and he was ordered to pay up . As at June 2, 2016, he owed the county government Sh2.47 million, which is increasing at the rate of Sh60, 000 per month.

The court also ordered the termination of tenancy and asked Mr Okeyo to vacate the premises with immediate effect.

Mr Midiwo owes Sh876, 000 and is also facing eviction if he doesn’t clear the arrears for his rented Milimani estate house.

An eviction will be double tragedy for Mr Midiwo, whose popular eatery on Kenya Railways land was recently demolished to pave way for the expansion of the port.

Abuse of office

He told the Nation that he has amicably sorted out the matter with the city manager where they agreed that the county will undertake repairs that have been pending for years.

He cited letters he wrote to the city council where he raised issues over the deplorable state of the house. He added that when he got the house, it was bushy and that he even repaired the roofs and fenced it.

Mrs Onudi, whose house is in Milimani, may be forced out if she doesn’t clear the Sh3.62 million arrears. Over the past decade, there have been concerns raised over the grabbing of county government houses by prominent politicians especially in the affluent Milimani estate.

The prominent individuals are said to have acquired the houses during the initial years of devolution while others go way back to the defunct municipal council era.

There have been calls by activists and members of the public to have the public officers charged with abuse of office.