Landlords reaping from tenants’ ignorance

Property owners and their agents harass and manipulate tenants most of whom have little knowledge about their rights. From arbitrary rent increase to refusing to refund deposits, Kenyan tenants are a disadvantaged lot, but a little research and knowledge is all you need, writes JAMES WANZALA

When Ruth Wanyama, a resident of Pipeline Estate in Embakasi, Nairobi, wanted to relocate to another plot, she asked for a deposit refund from the caretaker. But this soon turned into a cat and mouse game between her on one hand, and the caretaker and agent on the other.