Rent waiver is the latest battleground between Nairobi Metropolitan Services director-general Mohamed Badi and Governor Mike Sonko. Badi says Sonko has no authority to give rent waivers to those residing in county government houses, since housing is one of the transferred functions. Two weeks ago, Sonko gave a six-month rent waiver extension for tenants, citing Covid-19 financial challenges. Early last month, MCAs demanded to be told why county employees were threatening tenants with eviction despite rate and rent arrears waivers issued by Sonko in April last year. In March 2019, Housing director Marion Rono told the Budget and Appropriations Committee that tenants owed City Hall Sh224 million in rent arrears.

Source: The Star November 01, 2020 18:00 UTC