Another Kenyan Landlord Waives Sh100,000 Rent for His Tenants, Says 'Money Isn’t Everything'

Another considerate Kenyan landlord has waived rent charges for his tenants due to the economic hardships brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Godfrey Juma, who owns a residential property in Mombasa city, asked his tenants not to pay rent for the month of May thus foregoing nearly Sh100,000 in rental income.

His residential building in Majaoni, Shanzu has two and three-bedroom units that are rent out at between Sh10,000 to Sh13,500 per month.

Juma, who serves as the operation manager at Bahari Beach Hotel, said most of his tenants have been hard hit by the pandemic as they work in the hospitality industry.

“Most of them were forced to take unpaid leave. Some of my tenants even lost their jobs. It became nearly impossible for them to raise the May 2020 rent,” he said.

Juma said he might be forced to extend the rent relief to July should the Covid-19 crisis persist beyond this month.

“Money is not everything in life. I take satisfaction in seeing people safe and happy even when times are hard. Yes, I will lose almost Sh100,000 in the forgone rent, but my heart will be at peace knowing that my tenants are comfortable and safe.” 

Flovian Kunga, one of Juma’s tenants, thanked her landlord for the noble act. She said her second-hand clothes business has almost been brought to its knees by the outbreak.

“I pay a monthly rent of Sh12, 500. The landlord’s decision to waive the May rent has provided so much relief to us. I am now left with the task of looking for food only,” she said.

In March, Michael Munene, a landlord from Kinangop, Nyandarua County, won the hearts of Kenyans after he waived April and May rent for his tenants.

Munene said he decided to forego the rent due to the relationship he has with his tenants. Having supported him for many years, Munene said it was his turn to stand with them during this difficult period.

Munene earns Sh84,000 per month from residential units, and Sh30, 000 monthly from the commercial units, bringing the total to Sh114,000. This means he waived Sh228,000 in rental income for the two months.