Residents of Wilson Apartments in Kinoo have raised serious concerns over the conduct and negligence of Lockwood Properties, a rental agency managing the premises.
The outcry follows a disturbing incident a few weeks ago, where a 12-year-old girl was reportedly electrocuted inside her home after coming into contact with a live electric fence line dangerously close to the apartment windows.
According to tenants, the fence is supposed to remain off during the day, but on that day it was active, and almost cost a child her life.
She was rushed to Lifecare Hospital in Kikuyu, where she remains under medical care.
Despite the gravity of the incident and the pressing concerns raised by the tenants, Lockwood Properties reportedly failed to offer any form of acknowledgement or take any meaningful action to rectify the safety issues within the compound.
As a result of the child’s electrocution, the tenants convened as a community to express their collective concerns, submitting a formal letter to the management that outlined not only the immediate risks posed by the electric fence but also a range of ongoing safety hazards that have gone largely unaddressed.
Among these are the persistent issues of an overflowing septic tank in the children’s playground, hazardous electric shocks in the bathrooms, unsanitary water from the taps, and general disrepair of the premises, all of which contribute to a toxic and unsafe living environment.
Rather than address these life-threatening issues, Lockwood Properties responded with what many residents are now calling retaliatory measures. Several tenants received abrupt notices of rent increases, without explanation or justification.
In a particularly troubling turn of events, some residents were even allegedly denied access to water, while others were threatened with eviction if they did not comply with the management’s demands.
The distress of the family directly affected by the electrocution incident has only been aggravated by these retaliatory measures, as they have reportedly received threats in relation to their decision to raise the issue.
It is clear that the tenants basic requests for safety and security are not being met and the unwillingness of Lockwood Properties to engage in any meaningful dialogue has left residents feeling vulnerable and helpless.
While relocating may seem like a quick solution, it raises a larger, more concerning question, what of the future tenants who may unknowingly walk into this same web of negligence, with no one to advocate for their safety?
“Hello Cyprian. Kindly help me highlight the issue of a rogue Rental Agent called Lockwood Properties operating specifically in Kinoo and Kikuyu. I reside in one of the properties they manage called Wilson Apartment in Kinoo, Makutano (Chief’s Road), and the residents here are feeling the wrath of their negligence, arrogance, impunity, and disregard for human life. Now, on Monday, April 29th, 2025, a child aged 12 nearly lost her life after being electrocuted. The family occupies the first floor which, unfortunately, the electric fence is dangerously close to the window. Actually, even a toddler can extend a hand and touch the wire. On this particular day, the 12-year-old girl was helping with cleaning the house at around 10 am when supposedly a piece of wet cloth she was hanging touched the line. The line should always be off during the day, but this particular day, we don’t understand why it was on. The young girl was dangerously hit, and we had to rush her to Lifecare Hospital in Kikuyu. She has not gone back to school because of that incident. The management did not and has not said anything about it. They have not even said ‘pole’ to the affected family or apologized for what was negligence on their side. Following this incident, we met as neighbours and wrote a letter to the management highlighting the issues and seeking an audience to make this place safe and secure. This was just one of the cases. There are issues of an overflowing septic tank at the children’s playground, bathroom electric shocks, dirty water from taps, and wear and tear that we felt should be addressed. Last year, someone was electrocuted to DEATH right outside the gate. Instead of sending us a representative to address the issues, Lockwood responded by serving letters of rent increment without explanation, and to some houses, denied water. The manager even called some of the tenants and told them they can do nothing. He will evict them at will. It is sad that even the family that was affected has received threats. I feel this is not right. All the tenants are asking for here are basic safety and security which the landlord or the agent should consider. Yes, it is an easier option to move out, but what will happen to the next innocent tenants who will walk into this negligence and suffer God knows what?”
