29 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, if you look at the statistics in this country, very few people own houses which means that a majority of the population are tenants. The issue of minimising cost is very important to the tenants. Those people who advise on financial matters will tell you that if you spend more than 30 per cent of your income on rent, then you are not a good financial manager. The rent must not be more than 30 per cent. As we think about the tenants, the rent being charged in the market must be reasonable so that we ...
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29 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
Committee looks at the market forces, that is the demand and supply. Even as we control the amount, we cannot forget that the market forces must to some extent be able to play.
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29 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
This Bill becomes very important for the tenants because they have been protected and we are told that if you want to eject your tenant, you must provide 90 days’ notice. If you want to increase rent, you must provide time for them to adjust so that you tell them in a given time you will be increasing my rent. They can make a choice whether they want to continue being there or if they want to move out.
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29 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
The other thing is also to ensure that there is an orderly way of getting out of a house if you wish so. We have seen a situation where tenants are being kicked out of houses, thrown out in the night and the doors are being removed by the landlords and they have no choice but to move out and a tenant has a family, possibly young kids. This is mishandling of the tenants. This is also against their human rights. As we debate this Bill, it is important that at the end of the day, the underlying principle will ...
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29 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, on the issue of the tribunal, merging is very important because they have at times also become a money minting exercise, where they do rent seeking. You find that in most cases because the landlord is the person who has money, the tenants hardly get any justice. It is important that we merge them. Even as we think about decentralisation so that people do not have to travel all the way to Nairobi or to Mombasa to get this service, what is critical is to make sure that the people who are going to be in ...
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29 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
I want to comment on the issue of public participation. It is very good when we hear that key stakeholders in this sector did give their input into this Bill. The old say that it is the wearer of the shoe who knows where it pinches most. When we bring stakeholders on board, we are able to get those grey areas that needs to be improved. I was very happy when the Chairman of the Committee was saying which grey areas have been identified by the stakeholders and which will need to be factored in through amending this important Bill. ...
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29 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I look forward to a situation where this is going to be fast-tracked as it is likely to be debated both by this House and our brothers in the next House so that we get this law before this 12th Parliament becomes past tense, as we get to the 13th Parliament. With those remarks, I support this Bill and I look forward to the proposed amendments being factored into the Bill so that at the end of the day, both the landlords and the tenants, are in a sector which is well regulated. At the same ...
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29 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
In conclusion, the other thing is, I have also realised that at times the tenants also become very careless. They go around destroying these houses and they leave them in a very bad state. That is why I am very happy because it has been indicated that for the tenant to get back the deposit then they must make good any defects to the structures. That is a very important proposal that should be supported by this House. With those many remarks, I do support. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version ...
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29 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
I thank you.
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21 Sep 2021 in National Assembly:
Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I join you and the rest of the Members in congratulating Hon. Dennitah Ghati for this important appointment or election. I remember one time early in the year we also informed the House on our appointment as the champion for Africa Region. Most Members might be aware that we have nine regions. So, she has been appointed as a champion for the Africa Region. She is now the chair of the other nine champions, which is a big honour to this country. Bearing in mind, Hon. Speaker, that you are the Chairperson, Africa Region, ...
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