This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect Kenyan households, a new study by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reveals that many residents are still struggling to pay their rent on time.
According to the survey, which was conducted between May 2 and May 9, 2020, 22% of households were unable to pay their rent on time for the month of April. This is despite the fact that 60% of respondents reported paying their rent comfortably on the agreed date.
Only 8.7% of households who participated in the survey received a rent waiver last month, highlighting the ongoing financial struggles faced by many Kenyans.
The main reason cited for the households' inability to pay rent was reduced income earnings, a consequence of the pandemic's impact on employment and delayed income earnings.
The survey, which involved 15,840 respondents, was conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on households and individuals. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics randomly selected individuals from all 47 counties in the survey.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe had previously urged landlords to consider their tenants who are facing the effects of the pandemic, saying, 'Landlords should be a bit sensitive towards tenants and remember that people are not in the situation where they always are.'
Central Organization Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, had also called on landlords to exempt Kenyans from paying rent for the next three months as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic.
