A Kenyan landlord has gone against a Government order as he removed his tenant’s door and roof over inability to pay rent amid the coroanvirus lockdown.
This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta urged landlords in the country to reduce monthly rent for their tenants as many were struggling financially because of the global pandemic.
39-year-old Jane Wamucii, a mother of three told Nairobi News on Thursday that her landlord decided to send her packing from her one room apartment without granting her an eviction notice.
Ms Wamucii said ;
“I have lived in this house for close to two years now and I have never had any difference with my landlord. My children were at home when the owner came and removed the iron sheets and door. I came and found that it was true.”
“It is raining heavily and I fear that my children could contract diseases. Well, I have been trying to reach out to him but in vain. The landlord and other individuals stormed the house and took away my foodstuff and other household items. We have been sleeping on the floor and we can’t bear the cold.”
Ms. Wamucii, who has bar said she hasn’t been able to cater for her family following the country’s nationwide lockdown to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.
Few days ago, the Landlords and Tenants Association (LATAK) in Kenya directed all tenants to stop paying their rents until further notice due to the impact of Coronavirus pandemic.
The association’s Secretary-General Ben Liyai said: ‘‘LATAK directs all tenants not to pay rent until when President Uhuru Kenyatta orders businesses to resume normal operations,” said Liyai.
“All the landlords must forthwith stop evictions, harassment and disconnection of electricity and water to tenants,’’ he added.
