Kenyan tenants facing rent hikes and illegal evictions have legal protections under the Rent Restriction Act, despite widespread unawareness and landlord non-compliance.

• Landlords must obtain approval from the Rent Restriction Tribunal before increasing rent, with penalties including fines of Ksh 4000 or six months imprisonment for violations.
• Lawyer Danstan Omari explains that tenants cannot be evicted, have utilities disconnected, or face other harassment without tribunal authorization.
• Even when delaying rent, landlords cannot disconnect utilities without tribunal consent; doing so can result in a Ksh 2000 fine or 1-7 months imprisonment.