CAPTION: Comfort Homes Director Hezekiah Kariuki (Middle), General Manager Madam Doris (Right) and Manager (Left) A former employee has uncovered the dark side of “Comfort Homes”, a Nairobi-based real estate firm that deals in residential, commercial and mixed-use properties.
Writing to this blog on Monday, 13, June, the source who sought anonymity spilt the beans on a myriad of irregularities regarding the running of operations at the land sale and property management company.
It is reported that workers have silently suffered under the hands of rogue management led by Director Mr Hezekiah Kariuki and his rumoured side-chick “Madam Doris” who serves as the General Manager.
They are overworked, mistreated and underpaid.
The insider also pointed out multiple anomalies surrounding business transactions at the organization.
The company apparently targets vulnerable buyers and sells them plots of land without proper documentation.
Some have existing disputes in court.
They lure interested parties into paying 10% of the value of the land even before reading the sales agreement.
They are told to spread the balance over 12 months interest-free, but upon reading the sales agreement, buyers realize they can only pay for 6 months of interest and in the seventh-month interest applies which is 12% of the sale price. “Hi, Nyakundi, I am a former employee of Comfort Homes real estate. I would like to bring up an issue that everyone in the firm is afraid to talk about. The company has been selling plots of land to vulnerable Kenyans without proper documentation. Most of their plots don’t have title deeds, and others are disputed in the courts of law. Case in point; their land in Syokimau selling at Sh3m and Sh5m. Another one in Kitengela named “Inua Mama” going for Sh350k. The company has invested in over 100 sales agents who have mastered the art of lying, as directed by one Mr Hezekiah Kariuki and the General Manager “Madam Doris” who apparently is the side chick. They lure buyers into paying 10% of the value of the land even before reading the sales agreement. They are told to spread the balance in 12 months interest-free, but upon reading the sales agreement, buyers realize they can only pay for 6 months of interest and in the seventh-month interest applies which is 12% of the sale price. The working environment is also very toxic whereby the director can insult you in front of your colleagues, even during meetings. He’s known for his popular phrase “Shetani Mjane / nyoka mjane. He can comfortably call you stupid and feels nothing about it. At some point, he insulted a pregnant lady telling her that her pregnancy wasn’t by mistake and that she is the one who spread her legs and enjoyed the sex. He actually tells people that he’s giving them tea and they are just there to fill the toilet. People are fired on the brink of an eye. The General Manager Madam Doris can insult and fire you anytime, and you go home without your retainer. People are fired every single day. Sabotage is the order of the day there. I personally left without my salary. Delayed salary is another issue, you will find people flocking the cashier’s desk one madam Wambui as late as the 15th for the earlier month's salary. The reception desk is open at 5.30 am and the receptionist can leave even at 8.00 or 9.00 pm depending on the day's activities and mind you the pay is only Sh30k a month. Kindly keep me anonymous,” the source writes.