In the heart of Nairobi, where Kilimani and Lavington once symbolized luxury, a silent crisis is unfolding. High-rise buildings, once hailed as modern housing solutions, have turned into profit-driven traps. Among them, Bric Apartments stands as a chilling example of greed and neglect.
Marketed as a premium residential option, Bric Apartments promised comfort and security. The reality, however, was far from what tenants expected. Behind its glossy facade, the building was a poorly constructed shell, riddled with freezing drafts and shoddy insulation. Complaints from residents were met with silence or empty promises from the landlord, Mr. Liu Wenfu, a key figure at Endeavours Construction Company—a firm notorious for cutting corners in real estate projects across Nairobi.
One of the worst apartments was House C091, located on the top floor. The walls, thick yet drafty, provided no protection from Nairobi’s cold nights. Windows rattled with the wind, making sleep nearly impossible. Despite high rental costs, the conditions were substandard, exposing tenants to extreme cold and health risks.
For a young mother who moved in with her infant, the experience was nothing short of a nightmare. She had hoped for a secure home but instead found herself in an icebox. The cold seeped into every corner, making it impossible to keep her baby warm, no matter how many blankets she used. Within weeks, the baby developed a severe cough. Desperate, she reached out to Mr. Liu, pleading for repairs or a solution. He assured her the issue would be fixed. Days passed. Then weeks. Nothing changed.
As her baby’s condition worsened, she realized she had no choice but to leave. She informed Mr. Liu of her decision and requested a refund of her deposit. The response? Silence. Mr. Liu, who had eagerly collected the upfront payment, now ignored her calls. She was left not only with a sick child but also with financial strain, forced to search for another place to live without the funds she had counted on.
She was not alone. Other tenants reported similar experiences—freezing apartments, broken promises, and deposits that were never refunded. Despite repeated complaints, Mr. Liu continued his business undisturbed, pocketing money from new unsuspecting tenants while ignoring the suffering of those already trapped in his buildings.
Nairobi’s real estate boom has been a goldmine for developers like Mr. Liu. The pursuit of profit has left tenants at the mercy of landlords who exploit legal loopholes and a broken housing system. Who holds them accountable? Who ensures that families do not fall victim to greed disguised as modern housing?
