The Nairobi County Government has launched a sweeping operation to recover more than Sh200 million in unpaid rent from tenants residing in county-owned estates. The crackdown, spearheaded by the Housing Department, targets residents in estates such as Woodley, Kariokor, Uhuru, Ngara, and Harambee many of whom are said to have defaulted on payments for years.
Nairobi Housing Chief Officer Lydia Mathia, speaking during the launch of the initiative, expressed concern over the widespread non-payment. She revealed that tenants, despite enjoying subsidized rents ranging between Sh11,000 and Sh17,000 for spacious two-bedroom units with compounds, have failed to meet their obligations, even as market rates for similar properties exceed Sh50,000.
“It is disturbing that even with such low rent, many residents still refuse to pay, yet they expect the county to continue providing essential services like garbage collection and water,” said Mathia.
To enforce compliance, the county has deployed officers across the affected estates to collect rent and compel defaulters to settle their arrears. “We urge residents to understand that county services are funded through taxes and service payments. When people default, it directly undermines service delivery,” she added, vowing that the county will not relent in its efforts.
Meanwhile, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja reaffirmed his commitment to the county’s urban renewal program, which aims to modernize 13 aging estates to meet the demands of Nairobi’s growing population — now over 7 million, up from 2 million when many of these estates were built.
Sakaja pointed to ongoing redevelopment in Woodley Estate, where residents from 43 units have been compensated Sh900,000 each and granted allotment letters as part of a plan to construct 1,975 modern housing units.
The governor emphasized that revitalizing these estates is key to addressing Nairobi’s housing shortage and infrastructure strain. “We are committed to building a city that works for all residents — but this requires everyone to do their part,” he said.
The rent recovery drive signals a broader push by City Hall to restore financial discipline and improve urban management across the capital.
