I refer to Mr Mwai Githiomi's letter of January 3, in which he tried to justify the increase in City Council residential houses. 

The world over, council houses are built for the lower middle class to protect them from greedy landlords. In Nairobi, most council houses have not been maintained over the years and are dilapidated. 

In Britain and other developed countries, where council houses are well maintained, rent is hardly increased.

If there is my increase of the rent, it would be once in five years or so and just nominal, and yet they are maintained on regular basis.

Mr Githiomi's argument that City Hall's rents are below the market level does not hold water. In areas like Buru Buru, council houses attract the same rates as private houses. Besides, rents have generally reduced in most areas by up to 50 per cent. So there is no justification to raise rents for council houses. 

When Mr Githiomi refers to sub-letting and transfer of ownership, he should realise that this would not happen if the council's management was proper. 

S. MALIK, 
Nairobi.