Residents of National Housing apartments in Shauri Moyo, Kisumu, want the government to eliminate Airbnb businesses in the estate over noise and insecurity.
They said Airbnb units in the estate are exposing them to security threats and noise disturbances from clients visiting the premises.
There are more than 200 housing units in the estate.
Residents said children are exposed to immoral activities due to bad behaviour of some guests.
They appealed to the Kenya Revenue Authority and Tourism Regulatory Authority, police and the Kisumu government to conduct raids and establish whether the Airbnb are operating legally.
There are about six Airbnbs within the estate. They are in Block C, D, E, G and H.
A resident, who sought anonymity, claimed some of the Airbnbs are hideouts for criminals, thereby exposing them to danger.
“We cannot have peaceful nights. The noise and loud music from these Airbnb units is irritating,” he said.
The resident said people living in Block D were the most affected by the noise and loud music being played by guests.
“Some of the guests look suspicious. One night I found someone smoking bhang in front of my door,” he said.
Another resident questioned how a residential place had been turned into a commercial area without public participation.
“We want to know whether the owners of Airbnb followed the due process to operate them. Did they change the user from a residential to a business premise?” he asked.
The resident said the interests of children supersede any other interests and want the government to help eliminate Airbnb within the estate.
“There was a time I found a used condom thrown outside my door. We cannot tolerate such in our midst where we are bringing up our children. Such must end,” a female resident said.
Recently, the Interim Estate Governing Council, chaired by Simon Osumba, said it has become difficult to regulate the Airbnb business, which poses security threats to residents.
In minutes dated June 20, 2022, the council said Airbnb operations had become a menace at the estate, having consulted residents and previous meetings with landlords.
The council pointed out that peace and decency had been disrupted and residence tenancy agreements violated.
Based on the previous unit owners meeting, the council resolved to have the Airbnb business eliminated from the estate for the general good of residents.
The committee also agreed that security guards manning the gate should not accept custody of keys to Airbnb units.
They also resolved to have relevant authorities to inspect and ensure compliance as required by KRA, TRA, Nema and county governments.
On June 10, police arrested a suspect allegedly involved in a series of robberies in Nairobi within the estate. Elizabeth Akinyi, alias Boss Lady, was in the police most wanted list.
She was arrested by officers from Kondele police station accompanied by officers from Parklands police station in Nairobi.
Nyanza regional police commander Karanja Muiruri said the suspect is alleged to have been stealing electronic devices.
He said assorted expensive TVs, computers and other devices, as well as jewellery, were recovered from the suspect’s residence opposite Kibuye market in Kisumu Central.
Muiruri said one complainant, Ahmed Maalim Abdullahi, has positively identified his Samsung TV valued at Sh125,000.
Also recovered were a 55-inch LG TV set, Sony PSS PlayStation 5, Sony DVD player with three speakers, Sony sound bar, Sony PS4 PlayStation 4 and a Samsung tablet.
Police also recovered one necklace, a pair of earrings, eight wristwatches, a deco ball on a stand, Zuku fibre home router, four pieces of buibui, Ipod, Samsung Duos and one gold ring.
The suspect and recovered items were handed over to Parklands officers for action.
Three months ago, police from Kondele police station impounded a vehicle whose registration number was concealed within the estate, raising security concerns.
Edited by A.N
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