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If you are moving houses to Nairobi’s Makongeni estate, then brace yourself for tough conditions.
Besides being duped into paying for non-existent houses, those hunting for houses, particularly women, are allegedly being asked for sexual favours before they’re shown the houses under the management of Kenya Railways retirees.
The houses go for between Sh1,800 and Sh5,000. Most of those seeking these houses are attracted by the relatively affordable rents.
Lydia Akinyi, a businesswoman, says house hunting for young girls is a headache that forces some to “sacrifice their bodies to some agents who sleep with them to secure houses and would do the same if they fail to pay rent.”
“At first, I thought the man I had approached in their offices was joking when he told that I will get house on the condition that I have sex with him first,” says Milly, whom we were introduced to by Akinyi. “I left and two days later, I got a house in Umoja.”
Milly adds that some of her friends had no option but to succumb to the demands.
Meanwhile, young men, mostly students, have to part with more than Sh30,000 in advance to secure a single room.
“I paid one of the agents Sh2,000 for a vacant house. I locked the house as I went to fetch my furniture and other items. But on returning, I found someone else had occupied my house”, said Josiah Bii.
The Nairobian spoke to one agent who explained that “we have vacant houses but you must part with Sh40,000 which is payable in installments. Once you are done, you then pay the regular Sh2, 000.” The agent adds that they’re not to blame “because some women approach them with sex offers. As far as I am concerned, that is mutual understanding.”
