Apartments Remain Empty As 60% Of Kenyans Fail To Pay Rent

Millions of Kenyans in Nairobi and other urban areas are unable to completely pay rent or not to pay it in full and on time.

As the pandemic continues to sweep across Kenya, a survey by Infotrak showed that at least 60 percent of Kenyans cannot pay rent due to the pandemic.

“The rent crisis facing most urban Kenyans is real. 63 percent of Kenyans say they cannot pay their rent on time. 60 percent say they cannot pay their rent in full,” said the research firm.

Since the advent of Covid-19 in Kenya, pressure has been mounting on President Uhuru Kenyatta to force landlords to reduce rent or waive it until the pandemic is over.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, however, avoided the subject every time it was raised, choosing to tell landlords to consider “being human” and understand the times.

The majority of landlords have remained adamant about rent being paid in full. Most Kenyans have been evicted from their houses for failing to pay the required rent on time.

The survey now shows that Kenyans are more afraid of rent more than their health and food. As soon as one pays rent for a month, he/she starts worrying about where the rent for the following month will come from.

According to the survey, 41 percent of Kenyans see the Covid-19 pandemic as a financial problem and not a health problem. To the majority of Kenyans, the pandemic has disrupted their financial streams rather than their health.

Millions of businesses have shut down in the past three months. Millions of Kenyans have either been fired from their jobs or are out on indefinite unpaid leave. Those still working have had their salaries slashed by more than half.

Kenyans who are losing their jobs en masse are from the media industry (the mainstream media) as adverts dwindle. Others are from the tourism, Hotel, and PR industry as agencies shut and cut on their operations.

Kenyans are now increasingly moving out of houses that they are paying more rent to more affordable houses. This has led to an increase in demand for cheaper rental houses, especially in the informal settlements.

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