Rent hikes in new Bill spark public outrage

By RENSON MNYAMWEZI

Taita Taveta, Kenya: A rise in house rent has been proposed in Taita Taveta County, sparking anxiety among tenants.

They are alarmed that the Bill, yet to be discussed by the county assembly, proposes an increase at the populous Mbela Estate and other staff quarters owned by the county government.

The tenants accused the county government of failing to involve them in decision making.

“The rent was increased in January and the Bill has proposed a further increase. This is unfair and unacceptable to us,” said the chairman of Mbela Tenants Association, Christopher Lajah.

In January, the defunct Taita-Taveta County Council increased rent and tenants are currently paying Sh3,500 per month for a one-bedroom house, Sh4,500 for two bedrooms and Sh6,500 for three.

The new Bill proposes Sh4,000, Sh6,500 and Sh9,000 per month for one, two and three bedroom houses respectively.

In other staff quarters, tenants occupying two-roomed houses will pay Sh2,000 per month, single bedroom houses will go for Sh4,000. Two and three bedroom house tenants will pay Sh6,000 and Sh9,000 respectively. Yesterday Mr Lajah claimed the houses were still dilapidated despite the rent increase in January.

“The houses leak when it rains. No repairs have been made even after we started paying the new rents. The county government only collects revenue without being mindful of our welfare,” he complained.

Speaking to The Standard, the chairman said they had earlier demanded repairs by the government before they paid the new rates.