Tension is escalating at the former Kiambu County Council houses after long-term residents accused county government officers of harassment, intimidation and defying court orders in a disputed rent collection exercise.
The residents, some of whom have lived in the houses for more than 40 years, claim that county officials recently descended on the estate in Kiambu town and indian Bazaar demanding payment of rent under what they described as contested legal provisions, despite the matter being pending in court.
Peter Kuria, a resident of over four decades, said tenants had moved to court to challenge the legality of the county’s actions and had obtained conservatory orders maintaining the status quo.
“We moved to court and the court issued explicit orders that the status quo be maintained, including no interference with our occupation of the houses and no evictions,” Kuria said. “However, despite these orders, county officers came and purported to collect rent under what they called the Finance Act, claiming the orders do not prevent them from collecting rent.”
Kuria explained that the dispute over the houses has been before different courts. Initially, residents challenged attempts to collect rent under what they termed a questionable Housing Act. When the issue of rent was reintroduced, they sought further orders from the Thika Law Courts, which they say reinforced earlier conservatory directives barring eviction or interference.
He accused county officers of disregarding the court orders and engaging in acts of intimidation.
“We are at a loss. How do they become the interpreters of court orders? There is a clear directive preventing eviction and interference, yet people are being harassed and threatened,” he said.
Kuria further alleged that during the enforcement operation, officers locked houses, marked doors with paint indicating rent arrears, and in some instances forcibly removed occupants. He claimed his daughter, who is recuperating from breast surgery, was ordered out of their home despite her medical condition.
In another incident, residents alleged that a young girl was taken away by the enforcement team for several hours, during which her family reportedly received calls demanding money for her release. The claims could not be independently verified by the time of publication.
“There was nothing but harassment,” Kuria said. “We have reported these matters to the police and are calling for urgent investigations, especially into the alleged abduction and extortion.”
Joyce Kibuthu, another resident who has lived in the estate for over 40 years, described the operation as “inhuman.”
“It was a bad day. County government officers came without notice, started harassing us, locking our homes with their padlocks and marking our doors with paint, writing ‘pay rent’,” she said.
She alleged that an epileptic resident was locked inside a house during the operation, while an elderly man was evicted. She also reiterated claims that a young girl was taken away and that her family was asked to send money.
“Why treat people like criminals yet we have lived in these houses long before the county government was established?” Kibuthu posed.
According to the residents, no formal notices or invoices detailing rent arrears were issued prior to the enforcement action. They maintain that the matter is subject to ongoing court proceedings and that conservatory orders remain in force until the case is heard and determined.
The dispute over the houses dates back several years. Residents say the units were at one point managed by the National Housing Corporation (NHC) on behalf of the then Municipal Council of Kiambu before reverting to the municipal authority. They claim the houses were later condemned and that for over a decade, no rent has been paid as they pursued legal redress over alleged discrimination in allocation.
“We are not tenants in the conventional sense. For the last 10 to 12 years, we have not paid rent as this matter has been in dispute,” Kuria said, adding that they are hopeful the judiciary will resolve the matter conclusively.
The residents have now appealed to Kiambu Governor Dr. Kimani Wamatangi to intervene, questioning whether he is aware of the actions taken by county officers on the ground.
“We want to believe that the Governor is committed to the rule of law. We are appealing to him to call for a meeting with us and resolve the matter amicably,” Kibuthu said. “Paying rent should not be enforced in a manner that violates people’s rights.”
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Kiambu County Government and the police were ongoing by the time of going to press.
The unfolding dispute highlights growing tensions over public housing management in the county and sets the stage for a legal battle that could determine the future of dozens of families who have called the estate home for decades.
