Nanak house crisis – A long-standing dispute at Nanak House has escalated into a full-blown legal and financial crisis, as tenants accuse their landlord, Ann Karanu, of unlawful eviction attempts, harassment, and defiance of court orders.
The tenants, who have operated their businesses at Nanak House for over 20 years, now face rising threats following the landlord’s imposition of exorbitant rent hikes and interference with basic utilities.
The conflict began in September 2024 when tenants were suddenly asked to redirect their rent payments to an unfamiliar individual, whom they had never been formally introduced to.
Concerned about the legitimacy of the new arrangement, the tenants moved to the Business Premises Rent Tribunal (BPRT), arguing that rent payments should only be made to a formally recognized landlord or representative.
In response to the legal challenge, the landlord allegedly began retaliating by cutting off essential utilities like water and electricity.
This prompted the tenants to report the interference to Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), leading to the arrest of the caretaker for unauthorized disruption of utilities.
The situation worsened when the landlord demanded a drastic rent increase, asking each tenant to pay 600,000 Kshs—more than triple their previous rent of 150,000 Kshs—along with an additional “goodwill” fee of 15 million Kshs per tenant. With leases set to expire next year and their deposits held in escrow, the tenants found themselves facing an unprecedented financial burden.
In a bid to halt the eviction threats and stop the rent hikes, the tenants successfully obtained a court order from the High Court, which ruled to maintain the status quo, protecting them from eviction and preventing the rent increase. However, the landlord ignored the court’s decision and continued her aggressive tactics. On March 19, 2025, she sent individuals to block tenants from opening their businesses, despite the court order. The following morning, the landlord escalated her actions by blocking the building’s entrance with stones, making it impossible for tenants to access their shops.
The tenants, now fearing for their safety, have raised serious concerns about the landlord’s disregard for legal rulings. They argue that Karanu’s actions are not only unlawful but dangerous, and some have even speculated that judicial corruption may be at play. Rumors have circulated that the presiding judge, Hon. Mike Makori, may have been bribed with 1.5 million Kshs, although no formal evidence has been presented.
The dispute reached new heights in October 2024 when tenants filed a certificate of urgency in the BPRT, challenging the landlord’s arbitrary rent increases. Despite reaching a consent order in December 2024, the landlord’s legal team pushed forward a fresh case before the tribunal. Despite tenants arguing that the issue had already been settled, the tribunal ruled in favor of the landlord, forcing the tenants to accept the new rent and exorbitant goodwill fees.
Amid this legal turmoil, the tenants’ lawyer filed an application for Judge Makori to recuse himself, accusing him of bias, but the request was denied. The judge proceeded with the ruling, and the tenants were left with no immediate recourse, fueling their sense of injustice.
The situation at Nanak House has now become a high-stakes battle over tenant rights, the integrity of the legal system, and the tactics employed by unscrupulous landlords. With the landlord continuing to defy court orders and the tenants determined to fight for their businesses, the future of Nanak House remains uncertain.
The tenants are now calling for greater intervention from higher authorities, citing their ongoing security concerns and the landlord’s blatant disregard for legal processes. As this dispute continues to unravel, it shines a harsh light on the broader issues of landlord-tenant relations and the need for stronger protections for tenants under Kenyan law.
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