This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the economy, a landlord in Ruaka, Kiambu County has refused to reduce rent for his tenants. The landlord, identified as Wambugu, claims that his inability to reduce the rent is due to his loan obligations.
According to reports, residents at The Jowac apartments, located along Kinuthia Drive in Kiambu, had asked Wambugu to reduce their rent by 50 per cent for the months of May and June. The residents cited the impact of the pandemic on their financial circumstances, with many on unpaid leave.
"We are watching developments about coronavirus very closely and, as you might imagine, we are really concerned. Our financial circumstances have changed completely because of COVID-19 due to government’s advice on people to work from home. Because of this, we would like to discuss a possibility of 50 per cent rent waiver for a period of May and June as we monitor how the situation goes bearing the fact that most of us are on an unpaid leave," the residents said.
However, Wambugu responded by stating that his flats were constructed using a bank loan, which he is currently repaying. He claimed that he could not afford to reduce the rent, citing his monthly loan repayment of Sh. 1.048 million.
"For your information, I am paying a loan of Sh 1.048 million per month. Your request is untenable. Never assume that a person has more disposable income than you merely because he is your landlord. Indeed some of my tenants drive better cars than me. Most buildings are constructed using loans," he responded.
A report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics has revealed that at least 30.5 per cent of Kenyan households were unable to pay May rent on agreed dates due to tough economic times caused by the pandemic.
