Over 30 students from different institutions in Kisii town were on Friday rendered homeless following a forceful eviction by their landlord over alleged non-compliance with ‘regulations’.
According to the victims, their rented rooms in Nyamage were destroyed by people who were closely supervised by the landlord before compelling them out of the building without prior notice.
They accused the landlord, Victor Ogeto, of infringing on their rights without following the law that requires a tenant to be given a three months’ notice prior to eviction.
“We are astonished by that inhuman act. We were not notified of the action till we met heavy bodied men who harassed and even kicked those who failed to comply with their demands,” said Jane Moraa, a victim.
“The law with regard to housing is very clear. The landlord ought to have given us a prior notice before opting to evict us forcefully. We are law abiding citizens and this matter must be settled in court,” added Wellington Otieno.
However, the landlord accused his tenants of breaching various codes of conduct pertaining their stay in his compound.
He said students had done illegal power connections that prompted Kenya Power to cut electricity supply.
“They obviously know what they did. I will not hesitate to act whenever I see a wrong being committed by whomever. Let them go to court and meet me there,” he said.