Evicted Changamwe families rejected Sh70k state relocation package
The 19 families, who are living in two tents in the Changamwe NHC estate, said they have not seen the money.
by The Star
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Some of the families that live in two tents in the Changamwe NHC estate after their houses were demolished on January 26.
The 19 families forcibly evicted from the Changamwe National Housing Corporation estate and had their houses demolished on January 26, refused to pick their Sh70,000 relocation package, an administrator has said.
On Wednesday, Joyce Wanzia, one of the affected people, said they are living in two tents in the estate because they lack money to relocate.
“During a public participation forum at Ronal Ngala Hall, we were told the government allocated Sh70,000 for each of the affected families to help them relocate. We haven’t seen anything yet,” she said.
On Thursday, Changamwe deputy county commissioner Michael Yator told the Star all the affected families had been offered the amount but refused to take the money. He said they suspect it was ill-advice from politicians in the area.
“The government offered Sh70,000 for the 19 tenants who had not moved out but they did not come for the money. You remember there was a lot of politics and they thought the government could not evict them.
“There were people who sponsored them to be rebellious and not to move out,” Yator said.
He said they waited for them for over three weeks but still they did not show up for their package.
“The money had come in the name of a NHC officer. And you know in government there is something called surrendering. When you are given an imprest, you are supposed to surrender if it is not utilised,” Yator said.
The money was taken back to the government.
Yator however said all is not lost and they can still get the money if they come forward and request for the money.
“It is something that can still be requested if the tenants show that they are now willing to take the money,” the DCC said.
However, he said, there are two major challenges that complicates the residents’ issues.
Yator said some of the tenants got into the houses without the NHC knowledge.
“You find that the person who is officially registered as the tenant by NHC moved out a longtime ago and left the house to someone else without the knowledge of NHC,” Yator said.
This is a common practice in many government houses because they are usually cheaper than the market rates.
Sometimes, the officially registered tenant also rent out the unit at a higher price, making it a business.
“Some rent out the units to two or three other people. A three-bedroom unit, for example, can be rented out to three different people and they would use the living room, kitchen and washrooms as common rooms,” Yator said.
He said that usually leads to faster deterioration of the houses.
The administrator also said many of the tenants had huge rent arrears, some amounting to Sh500,000.
“It even made them afraid to face the NHC officers,” Yator said.
The residents used to pay an Sh7,000 per month for two-bedroom units.
They said they were being forced to move to alternative units which were going for Sh15,000 monthly for the same two-bedroom units.
“If it is affordable housing, how is the rent jumping from Sh7,000 to Sh15,000? That is more than double the rent. Is that affordable?” a resident posed.
Some of the families who had their houses demolished at the Changamwe NHC estate.
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