The State has entered into consultations with the private sector to negotiate a possible rent waiver for Kenyans during the Coronavirus Pandemic – By Gerald Gekara
Trade and Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina announced that the ministry was in talks with different business stakeholders to ensure distressed tenants are cushioned during this Coronavirus pandemic period.
While appearing on a Senate committee on Coronavirus, the CS echoed that it was difficult to compel landlords to waive rent. She could only urge them to be humane to the situation faced by their tenants
President Uhuru Kenyatta last week during a live radio address, stated that he cannot force landlords to reduce rent or waive it but beackoned landlords to enter into some form of an agreement with their tenants who are unable to pay their rent.
According to the Pandemic Response and Management Bill 2020 sponsored by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, in the event where tenants experience challenges in the remittance of their monthly rent they can enter into an agreement with their landlords on how they shall meet their obligation at the end of the pandemic.
The closure of businesses and general slow down in economic activities has rendered many jobless and unable to pay for their rent, with many falling victim to ruthless landlords who threw them out of their establishments.
