Land Lords removing iron sheets if you fail to pay rent despite covid 19 hard times
From the day the government announced its first case of covid 19 in Kenya, life took a 360 degrees turn to dwellers of the sprawling Kawangware slums.
Tobias Echesa a hand cart pusher (mkokoteni guy) speaking to Goodmorning Kenya narrated how hard life in the slum has been.
“My day used to begin at 4:30pm where I load 20litre buckets ready to start supplying water in the estate. On a good day I could make 700/ which is enough for my family of six ie my wife and 3kids plus my late brothers kid who is under my car.
All of our kids are school going save for the last born who is 6month old. But after the arrival of corona virus, things have changed and I only make about 150/per day. Hotels in the estate which were my major clients nolonger need water because they have closed down.
I am yet to pay my rent and my landlord is threatening to throw me out. I dont know what to fear now is it corona or the agony of seeing my family thrown out?” Echesa says.
We visited Amboseli area where we meet Dominic Kutso. Dominic has been operating a car wash by the roadside. Aventure that has seen him take care of her young family of two and opened a salon for her wife.
From the day the first covid 19case was announced, Dominic has lost alot since all the taxi drivers have grounded their vehicles. The offices nearby including Orange house which houses Odm party and Amani house which houses Anc party have since scaled down or closed.
Just like any other slum dweller, Dominic is staring at a bleak future as covid 19 continue to cause havoc in Kenya.
Deep inside Gatina area of Dagoretti North, a showdown between tenants and landlords is looming. Most of the tenants survive on hand to mouth but since the economy has taken a deep, rent wont be coming anytime soon.
Landlords without caring a dime, have resorted to removing iron sheets from houses to compel tenants to pay or move houses.
The government should move with speed and cushion the tenants from the prying landlords and vice versa.
Just like in Uganda and Rwanda, a rent holiday will do the trick.
Over to you Hon Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta
