Sudanese peace deal affects Kenyan landlords

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 18, 2005 (PANA) — The old adage “one man’s meat is
another’s poison” appears to be turning into reality in
Nairobi since last week’s signing of the historic peace
agreement to end more than two decades of civil war in
southern Sudan.

While the historic development was received with much fanfare
and jubilation by over three million internally displaced persons
in Sudan and 500,000 refugees in neighbouring countries, many
Kenyan landlords are predicting huge loses with the departure of these aliens.

Property owners and landlords in Kenya were making booming
business, thanks to “these people’s willingness to spend, unlike
Kenyans who are very stingy,” remarked Njenga Kimani, a landlord
in one of the Nairobi estates.

The arrival of the “often-moneyed” Sudanese refugees saw a
number of Kenyan investors opt to put up rental houses
for quick and steady returns.

The foreigners were not only willing to pay hefty rents but were
paying in bulk as well, ranging from several months to a year’s
payment.

But sadly for the landlords, observes Kimani, the peace agreement
has wiped off this windfall, at least for the next few years.

Although Kimani welcomes the restoration of peace return to the
Sudan, he could not help feeling sad as a landlord because the
departure of his tenants will have some far-reaching effects on
his financial standing.

“I have been housing Sudanese refugee families for four years
now. Rent is Ksh.5,000 (US$1=Ksh.80) per month and around ten out
of these families pay six months rent in advance. Because of
them, I have been very secure financially,” Kimani conceded.

And due to the consistent pre-payment of rent by the Sudanese
tenants, Kimani says he has been able to plan for his family’s
future and start other income generating projects.

“I have completed other housing units. I cannot fully explain to
you the kind of dilemma I am in since 26 more housing units are
currently under construction. Their departure will mean making do
with our stubborn Kenyan tenants,” he added with a tinge of
regret.

As a precautionary measure, Kimani had hiked rent for his
Sudanese tenants “since these people could leave anytime and I
did not want to take chances.”

His current worry is the fact that he may be forced to lower
rent as the average Kenyan tenants, who solely depend on earnings
from small scale businesses.

It was an open secret in Nairobi that the Sudanese, refugees are
relatively comfortable financially as they were supported by
international non-governmental organisations and well-placed
relatives living abroad.