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Africa News of Saturday, 4 April 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

COVID-19: Kenyan landlord waives two months rent for 34 tenants

Michael Munene Michael Munene

At least 34 tenants will enjoy a rent-free accommodation for March and April after their landlord in Kenya told them they do not need to pay.

This is as a result of the hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic with jobs on hold due to curfew imposed.

Michael Munene owns 28 apartments in the western county of Nyandarua for which he charges 3,000 Kenyan shillings ($30; £23) a month.

He also has six commercial units rented out for 5,000 Kenyan shillings a month. If none of his tenants pay, he will lose more than $2,000.

Mr Munene, who was once a tenant and was locked out of his house for not paying, explained that:

"They have been my tenants for a while and the rent they pay has helped me do a lot of things," he said.

"So I decided this was the time to work with them and help each other."

He has been hailed by one paper as the landlord "with a big heart".

BBC