Residents of Nairobi's Kibera area have migrated, in mass, out of the government's Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme (KENSUP) housing facilities citing high mortgage fees.
Half of the 821 families that moved into the Soweto Zone A project, baptised Canaan Estate, are said to have moved back to the slums just a year after they were given keys to their houses.
Julius Odawo, Chairman of the first phase of the Government's initiative, confirmed that the initial owners have opted to sell their units or rent them out to keep up with the mortgages.
"That is up to the owner of the house and the one who wants to rent it," Odawo clarified, absolving the estate management of blame.
The estate has 21 blocks of four to five-storey buildings comprised of bedsitters, one and two-bedroom units.
For mortgage payments spanning 25 years, the residents are required to pay a total of Sh800,000 for a bedsitter, Sh1 Million for a one-bedroom and Sh1.35 Million for a two bedroom house.
"I gave the new house to my children. You see, they are in a position to pay the required Sh5,000 every month as mortgage," 63-year-old migrant, Christopher Kamau told The Standard.
Another, Ms Purity Gakii, who is renting a one-bedroom unit from an initial owner, conveyed that she puts up at Sh16,000 each month - Sh15,000 as rent and a Sh1,000 service fee.
The Kibera residents who have opted to rent or sell their units end up making up to three times the amount of their mortgage as observed by one Gabriel Muli, a beneficiary of the government project.
"Trust me, people here do not just rent out but also sell the houses. Right now, a one bedroom house here can cost you Sh2.5 Million.
"So if one is selling a house inclusive of the mortgage then a one bedroom will go for even Sh3.1 Million," Mr Muli explained.
