Former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo is set to lose his rented Kisumu mansion in the next one week over rent arrears.
A notice signed by City Manager Abala Wanga and addressed to the politician indicated that he owed the Kisumu County Government, which owns the building, a total of Ksh 876,000 rent arrears.
The county government threatened to evict Midiwo alongside other politicians who are said to have rent arrears running into millions of shillings.
“Our records indicate that you have not been making payments regularly since you occupy the above promise and have accrued arrears of Ksh 876,000.
“In view of the aforesaid, you are hereby given seven working days to ensure payment is done, failure of which the tenancy will be terminated henceforth without any further reference to you,” read the letter in part.
In his defense, Midiwo denied that he owed the county the money arguing that he had not lived in the house for a long period to warrant the rent arrears.
He further dismissed the notice as a misunderstanding over repairs.
“They agreed to repair the house,” he stated.
Also, five other politicians received the notices including Kisumu Senator Fred Outa who was also given notice of eviction if he does not pay Ksh1.7 million within seven days.
Some individual tenants are said to owe the county as much as Ksh 6 million in unpaid rent.
“Some of them have not paid their rent arrears and have debts of up to six million and have ignored these notices.
“Others have court orders directing them to leave if they can’t pay,” stated the City Manager
In February, the former Gem MP was reportedly assaulted by police officers after a disagreement. Initial reports claimed that the officers were after Midiwo’s driver over an alleged traffic offense.
They then followed him all the way to the former Gem MP’s house leading up to the confrontation
