Kawangware has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. As we battle Covid 19, the sprawling slum has so far curved itself out as a hot spot registering 20 confirmed positive cases.
Covid 19 cases have also exerted immense pressure on tenants ability to meet their rent obligations.
Dishon Maina a landlord at Kawangware’s Muslim area spent a night locked in a toilet by angry trnants.
It all started on Saturday evening when Mr Maina visited to collect his rent. Most tenants told him that they were unable to raise the 3500/ demanded for the tenancy of the mabati houses. Mr Maina started scolding them and a nasty exchange ensued. Two of the tenants living at the far end of the compound called the landlord a side as other tenants retreated into their houses. Little did Maina know that unexpected was going to happen.
It is not clearly established how Maina ended up in the toilet but he was discovered today morning feeling cold and in a foul mood.
The matter is a subject of police investigation with no arrests made so far.
Last week residents of Kawangware stormed Riruta police station demanding the release of a young man identified as Savula. Savula had been arrested after an altercation ensued between him and his landlord over rent. Savula is currently out on police bond.
Issues of rent between landlords and/or their agents are on the rise in Kawangware. The covid 19 pandemic has put pressure on tenants ability to meet their rent obligations.
“If you give me 2500/ now, is it rent I will pay or food for my family?” quiped Dominic Atieli a resident of Kawangware 56 area.
President Uhuru’s directive to landlords to be lenient on tenants has not been heed and tenants are shouldering the covid 19 burden
