VIDEO: Deaf-mute couple fights eviction at Mombasa rent tribunal court

Renson Wasonga when he testified before a Mombasa Rent Tribunal on November 16, 2020. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

You can watch the full video of the hearings below

A deaf and mute couple in Mombasa on Monday pleaded with the Rent Restriction Tribunal to stop their eviction from a rental house they have been living in since 2018. 

Renson Wasonga and his wife Diana Mwasya said that they do not wish to vacate the house despite being asked to move out by their landlord.

The couple through signs narrated to the tribunal of their frustrations in the hands of their neighbours who they accuse of demeaning, abusing and harassing them.

The couple lives in a Swahili house in Frere Town Kisimani area Mombasa alongside 10 other tenants.

Among the cause of the dispute and between Mwasya and her fellow female neighbours is, shared amenities such as common sink for washing utensils, clothes hanging line, loud music and shared the cost for the electricity bill.

Mwasya told the tribunal’s Chairman Hillary Korir that some of her female neighbours have always belittled her causing her anguish.

She told the tribunal that she wishes to stay in the rentals with their baby peacefully without being harassed or abused by other tenants.

“I want to continue living peacefully without being disturbed by any of my neighbours,” said Mwasya through her sign language interpreter Florence Kasichana.

Wasonga said her wife is always upset and crying because one of the tenants, a student is always demeaning and abusing her.

However, the landlord wants them out of the house because they are always quarrelling with their neighbours and calling the police on them.

Through louse agent Philicia Mwabili, the landlord told the tribunal's Korir that the couple had occasioned eight tenants to vacate her houses because of the constant chaos.

Mwabili said the couple has stayed in the house since June 11, 2018, and ever since they have been quarrelling with their neighbours.

“I pray they be given time to move out peacefully,” said Mwabili who said that only one tenant is now living in the rental houses.

The agent said that she had talked to them in her office of the importance of co-existing with their neighbours but they have refused to heed to her advice.

“I told them that in a Swahili house you need to respect your neighbours because, in case of an emergency, they will be the first ones to help out,” said Mwabili hoping they would change.

Mwabili accused the couples of refusing to pay the electricity bill for 19 months which amounts to Sh12, 725.

However, Wasonga said defended themselves saying they don’t own electronics and that the neighbours were the ones utilising the electricity.

Mwasya while tendering her testimony in sign language told the tribunal that the neighbours have been verbally abusing her with the student neighbour assaulting her during her pregnancy.

She reported the matter at Nyali Police Station and had Maureen arrested but later the dispute was resolved but was never the end of such quarrels.

Mwasya told the tribunal that someone would slip abusive letters to her through the door while she is in the house and when she tried to seek the help of the landlord, she was dismissed and told she is arrogant.

She told the tribunal that one of her next-door neighbours plays loud music yet she has a toddler in the house and she is forced to take her somewhere else during the day to protect her baby from the loud music.

However, Mwabili said that Mwasya had called the music copyright agents on her neighbours due to the loud music but it was verified that no one was playing loud music.

The couple applied to have the landlord install personal electricity meter to avoid sharing of huge electricity bill slapped on them.

The tribunal ordered that the couple and their neighbours to continue living in peace until when the court will rule if they will continue staying in the rental or vacate.