16 families in Kayole one area in Nairobi were forced to spend the night in the cold after they were locked out by their landlord over rent arrears.
According to the residents, the landlord whom they have never seen, came armed with padlocks and a list of tenants and demanded rent from them.
They say the landlord immediately forced out those who did not pay and locked their houses then switched off his phone.
“He came and asked us to pay rent or vacate. He even had a list to verify who has paid and who has not. Most of us delayed the rent this month because of the tough economic times that are currently being felt in the country. He locked us out then switched off his phone.” said Alice Wambui
He threw all of them out and locked his houses and left while switching off the phone.
Their efforts to get the caretaker to open for them bore no fruits and they ended up sleeping in the cold till early in the morning when police in the area intervened.
The residents are now asking why the Landlord could not give them time or even a chance to discuss the payment plan before resorting to the drastic action.
“We were so shocked to step outside and see that all of us have been locked out of the three flour house. He addressed us as if we had discussed the issue with him. We have not refused to pay. It’s tough. He should have sat us down and given us a chance to discuss way forward. How is it possible that all 16 tenants had not paid? It has been tough on our businesses. His actions today were so inhumane.” Added Wambui
The residents say it was the first time they met the landlord since they have been paying rent via a paybill number and dealing with the caretaker known as Kioko.
