Heart-breaking experiences: The nightmare of moving houses in Nairobi

It is a nightmare [Photo: Courtesy]

Every so often, we move houses. We move houses when we get a good job. We move houses when we get sacked, or demoted. Living in Nairobi is a study in negative coping mechanisms as incomes shrink and inflation shoots through the roof.

Moving houses is a heart-breaking experience. It starts with the painful realisation that the landlord will never return the deposit, no matter what kind of agreement you signed. Agents and agencies managing most real estate properties are run by the devil himself. Agents are super greedy, and there is no law in the land that can protect anyone. Last year we saw a landlord in Lang’ata who poured raw sewage into tenants’ houses to get them out to increase the rental.