A tenant shot his landlord after his house was locked over failure to pay rent in Nairobi’s South C estate on Tuesday night, reports the Star, in an incident that highlights the growing burden of the cost of housing against stagnant or shrinking incomes.
Peter Munuve shot Protus Ochieng’ when he declined to reopen the house and give him more time to settle the debt, said county police boss Benson Kibue. Kibue said Ochieng’ was shot in the shoulder while trying to stop Munuve, a licensed gun holder, from cutting a padlock.
He said the landlord was rushed to a nearby hospital where he is admitted in stable condition. Police reported to the house and disarmed Munuve, he said. Nairobi rents have be rising over the past 10 or so years, making it difficult for most tenants to afford decent housing.
Those who want to stay in affluent areas like South C have to pay through the nose, with rent ranging from Ksh20,000 for a small one-bedroom house to over Ksh200,000 for 4-5 bedroom maisionettes.
