Students at Maseno University, have had to live in what they believe are shadows of mistreatment from their landlords who have taken advantage of among other reasons, the limited number of rental houses available to exploit them.
While having a close sit down with Hivisasa, they expressed their frustrations with the decision by some of their landlords to incessantly increase rent without clear communication and explanations.“When we came back from the December holidays, the landlord told us that the rent would increase by Ksh. 1000 for this semester. He said he had made renovations on the power system as well as purchasing a new water tank for the tenants,” says Ms Rodha Wairimu who has been a tenant at Tulumba hostels since her second year in campus and has witnessed rent increments on four occasions. Some increments are said to have been done while students are away on holidays and are reported to have been done overnight and the students have been made to abide by them or be thrown out. “I had to leave Mbwa Kali hostels after the rent was raised without communication. I went back to school with the rent that I knew we were supposed to pay but on arriving, I was told the amount had been increased by Ksh. 2000 for the semester. We were told that communication was made while people were at home but that is really not true. We should have protested but no one was willing to offer support. I left despite already having paid the deposit,” said Elly Lusena, a former tenant and now residing in the institution’s Tsunami Hostels.When asked what they had to say about the allegations, one of the landlords said he believes it is within his power to increase the fee paid for accommodation considering the high cost of living and maintenance.“The cost of most of what I do to maintain the hostels is just too high. Every time the students go home, that is when I get the time to do some repair and maintenance like painting, ensuring floors are good and the water systems are also okay. I usually tell the students through SMS or through calls if I decide that they should add something on what they are already paying,” says Sam Ogolla Origi, landlord of Kwa Ogolla hostels.Some of the students told Hivisasa that amidst incessant increments in rent, cases of insecurity have been rife but the landlords have been reluctant to take action to ensure the safety of their tenants.In fact, some of the landlords or agents are said to be collaborating with the thugs to rob them of their valuables.
However, they said they never had enough evidence to support their allegations. In fact, when asked the action they have taken, some said they tried to protest but nothing came out of it.
They are now hoping that the university management will step in and listen to their cries.
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