Ugunja: Landlords asked to deny drug dealers’ rental houses
By Eric Juma, October 2, 2025Ugunja municipality has cautioned landlords against renting their houses to drug dealers.
According to the manager, Fredrick Ochieng, the impromptu crackdown that was conducted in Ugunja Town on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, found that 30 houses rented for selling shop items were turned into drug storage facilities.
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“If you are a landlord, it is time to exercise extra caution; drug dealers are now renting houses and transforming them into drug storage facilities, often right under your nose, as was witnessed on Wednesday,” Ochieng said.
Ochieng issued a stern warning on Thursday, October 2, 2025, after finding youths busy smoking bhang and taking changaa in broad daylight, thus fearing that those taking the drugs could be groups terrorising businessmen in the centre.
“Drug dealers are now renting entire houses, not to live in, but to use as warehouses for storing large consignments of drugs,” Ochieng stated.
He urged landlords to be vigilant when renting out their properties, warning that premises used for illegal drug activities could be seized by the government.
“Under the law, properties implicated in drug trafficking are subject to nationalisation. Landlords and caretakers must not permit their houses or vehicles to be used for such purposes,” he stated.
The drug dealers were targeting Ugunja and would want landlords to report suspicious tenants to the authorities.
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Collective effort
He emphasized that combating drug trafficking requires collective effort, with property owners playing a crucial role in identifying and addressing potential illegal activities.
“We are going to liaise with the Interior officials and will not only arrest those involved in this trade but also the healers who support them,” he said.
Lands Chief Officer Joseph Omondi urged developers with properties within urban areas to repaint their buildings before investors land in Siaya for the investment conference.
Affected developers will need to repaint their buildings before October 14th, 2025. I am equally a landlord here in Ugunja and will also lead by doing so,” Omondi said.
“We aim at enhancing the urban centres’ aesthetics and safety. The appealing buildings will also attract visitors coming for the conference.
Omondi added that new measures aimed at restoring order and enhancing the urban and peri-urban appearance, including the repainting of buildings.
He noted that some buildings had faded paint, stating that a fresh coat of paint would significantly improve the urban aesthetics.
“Most of the buildings have become an eyesore regarding their condition. They are dirty and unpresentable; hence, quick intervention is needed first to address the issue of painting,” he said.
The leaders spoke at Ugunja Municipality grounds, where Ugunja Municipality leadership inked a one-year deal with three service providers to clean the residential and shopping areas in Ugunja and its environs.
“Ugunja youths who were part of Roma Agrovet, Green Solutions, and Home Boys’ Security had won the waste management tender and are now tasked with the collection of garbage at the residential areas and Ugunja centre.
The idea of getting garbage collectors was mooted in April 2025, and we have today launched it for the service providers to clean the urban and peri-urban areas.
“Already, households and businesses have been mapped and linked to the 3 service providers who we expect to collect the garbage and deliver it to the dump site strategically placed in Ugunja town,” he added.
“Each business premise and household will pay Ksh 1000 to the service providers doing the job, and each landlord will be provided with waste collection papers,” said Ochieng.
The signing of the MOU is timely since most of the hotels in Ugunja will host some investors.
Waste picking
Waste picking is often seen as a last resort for those facing unemployment, accompanied by struggle and societal stigma. Waste pickers find themselves confronted with numerous challenges, including deplorable work conditions, health risks, and discrimination. Yet, despite the odds, their spirits remain unbroken, fuelled by the hope of a brighter future.
Joel Omollo expressed hope for the future, saying, “This project has given them a voice and a purpose; they are no longer going to be waste pickers but part of something bigger. We are helping our city, our planet. And in the process, we are building a better life for our children.”
The idea was endorsed by Ugunja landlords and business owners who have embraced the initiative. The Green Solutions chairman assured the municipality and landlords that they will ensure Ugunja remains clean.
“Solid waste is in 3 categories: collection, sorting, and recycling. We call on the county government to facilitate us to recycle the waste to create wealth out of it.”