The dark side of Airbnbs - Kenyan hosts speak

Airbnbs are the chosen accommodation for several people on business and pleasure trips.

They are also used by people who are looking to host a group of friends.

The units are chosen because they are generally adequately furnished and all one has to do is do self catering, though there are some hosts who offer chefs for an additional cost.

However, with the rising use of Airbnbs has come problems that hosts complain about, from late checkouts, to disorderly guests who leave the premises in a terrible state.

One host complained that his cleaners were left with a lot of work to do after the guests left his house upside down, with trash all over, broken plates and ashes of sheesha. This, after playing loud music throughout the night.

In another case, a host complained that he knew cleaning up is part of the territory when it comes to Airbnbs, one particular couple who rented his house left the sheets in an unfathomable state.

“I don’t even want to imagine the kind of activities they were up to on the bed,” the man, who preferred to remain anonymous, said.

He continued, “The guests also appeared to pee on the mattress.”

In another case, a guest said a crime happened in her house as someone was attacked and the issue was a police case.

A common complaint among hosts was that many guests tend to steal or exchange items for substandard ones – including frying pans.

It is for this reason that many hosts said they buy basic essentials to furnish their units.

Other complaints include instances where guests book Airbnbs to do their batch cooking using the unit’s gas.

“I was shocked that someone decided to book a unit and carry all their lentils to boil then go home with,” one host said.