Sakaja and MCAs Reach Landmark Agreement on Nairobi Housing Reforms: New Policy to Curb Evictions and Reinstate Displaced Tenants

Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja and ward representatives (MCAs) have finalized a comprehensive agreement on a new housing policy and a detailed plan to reinstate evicted tenants. This breakthrough comes from deliberations by the Housing Reconciliatory Committee, formed under the direct guidance of President William Ruto to tackle conflicts between residents and county authorities over public housing estates. The resolutions target widespread issues such as unlawful evictions, mounting rent arrears, and questionable allocations that have plagued estates like Woodley, leaving many families in limbo.

The committee, which includes Sakaja, selected MCAs, and senior county housing officials, has been working tirelessly through a series of meetings to address grievances raised by affected tenants. At the heart of these disputes are reports of violent and irregular evictions, where residents who had faithfully paid their rent were suddenly displaced without due process. Historical tensions trace back years, including a gazetted rent waiver issued during the administration of former Governor Mike Sonko that applied to all county estate tenants. However, implementation gaps, coupled with irregular billing practices by a previous housing chief officer, exacerbated the chaos, leading to legal battles and financial burdens on vulnerable households.

Central to the new agreement is the development of a County Housing Estate Management Policy, designed to establish clear rules for tenant evictions, rent collection, property allocations, and dispute resolutions. This policy explicitly prohibits violent or unlawful evictions, ensuring that all future actions adhere to legal and administrative standards. The committee has stressed that such disorder and distress should never again be inflicted on Nairobi residents, marking a firm commitment to protecting the rights of ordinary citizens in public housing.

A key component of the plan focuses on reinstating evicted tenants. Those who were removed from their homes despite maintaining rent payments will now have their tenancy fully restored. This includes provisions for them to resume regular rent obligations without facing punitive measures for past disruptions. To prevent future arrears buildup, the agreement mandates monthly rent collections across all estates, a measure aimed at bolstering county revenue streams while promoting financial stability for tenants and funding essential public services.

In a move to rectify past injustices, the committee has nullified all irregular housing allocations that bypassed proper procedures. Additionally, all pending bills imposed unfairly by the former housing chief officer have been scrapped, providing immediate relief to thousands of families. The long-recognized rent waiver from the Sonko era will now be applied universally and without discrimination, honoring its original intent to ease the load on low-income residents.

Particular attention has been given to the ongoing saga at Woodley Estate, where legal wrangles have dragged on for years. The county has agreed to withdraw a protracted appeal case against residents who lost an initial court battle. In a gesture of reconciliation, both the county and the involved developer have committed to dropping all associated cost claims. As a result, 22 affected Woodley residents will receive fresh allotment letters for new apartments. For tenants who had pursued outright purchases decades ago, the plan allows them to return title deeds to the county in exchange for these allotment letters. Any prior payments will be credited toward rent, with all accumulated arrears waived given the extensive time elapsed.

Further addressing the human impact of evictions, the agreement ensures the return of confiscated household goods to displaced families. Two specific cases have already been forwarded to the county's revenue office for urgent follow-up, with broader efforts underway to trace and restore items across affected households.

Administrative reforms form another pillar of this overhaul. Governor Sakaja has pledged to enact immediate changes, including the replacement of the current chief officer in the housing department with a new appointee who demonstrates respect for residents and collaborates effectively with elected leaders like the MCAs. This shift is intended to foster a more responsive and accountable housing authority.

The committee has underscored that paying rent remains a fundamental responsibility for all tenants, but it must be enforced fairly and transparently. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders will continue to refine these processes, ensuring the housing sector operates in the public interest. As Nairobi grapples with rapid urbanization and housing shortages, this agreement represents a blueprint for sustainable management, potentially serving as a model for other Kenyan counties facing similar challenges.

Residents and housing advocates have welcomed the developments, viewing them as a victory for collaborative governance. With the new policy set to guide operations, Nairobi's public estates could soon transition from sites of conflict to stable communities where families thrive without fear of arbitrary displacement. The full implementation of these measures will be closely monitored by the committee, with regular updates expected to keep the public informed.