By Nyang’au Araka
In many of Kenya’s fast-growing towns and cities, finding a parking spot can feel like winning a small lottery.
In places like Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, drivers often circle blocks endlessly or pay hefty hourly charges just to leave their cars safely.
That is why designated parking spaces in residential apartments are treated almost like private property — because in many cases, they actually are.
But what happens when someone decides to ignore those markings and take a space that isn’t theirs?
A woman living in a city-centre apartment block recently faced that exact dilemma after returning from a trip only to discover that a stranger had parked in the slot legally assigned to her flat.
According to her account shared online, every apartment in her building comes with a clearly numbered parking space included in the lease agreement.
The spaces are located in a secure residents-only garage that requires key-fob access, meaning outsiders should not be able to park there without permission.
Yet when she arrived home, she found an unfamiliar car sitting squarely in her spot.
At first, she tried to avoid confrontation. She parked on the street outside for an hour, hoping the driver would return and move the vehicle.
But when no one showed up, frustration began to build — especially because street parking in busy city centres can be painfully expensive.
Sweet Revenge?
Rather than continue paying for a space she technically already owned, the woman decided to take matters into her own hands.
She parked her own car directly in front of the offending vehicle, effectively blocking it in.
According to her, the move did not obstruct other residents or interfere with traffic inside the garage.
She then left a note on the stranger’s windscreen and also posted a message in the building’s residents’ group chat asking the owner to come forward.
Hours later, there was still no response and the situation left her torn.
On one hand, she believed she had every right to protect a parking space that forms part of her property.
On the other, she worried about possible consequences if the driver returned and found their car trapped.
Online commenters largely sided with her, with many saying they would have done the same.
Some argued that the police would be unlikely to intervene in a dispute inside a private car park, especially since she had left contact details.
Others advised caution, warning that blocking the vehicle could escalate tensions or even risk damage to her car.
Still, the overwhelming verdict from readers was clear: if someone parks in your private space, they should not be surprised if they find themselves stuck there.
-This story has been redone. Its original version was published by The Mirror: https://open.apexnews.com/news/detail/35d31f27c4627cc1e5a2219066a548d1?country=us&language=en&appVersion=14.51.0-gn&client=openmi&info=eyiSy%3ETYVO_VOXO_awzcpcpw-pkza-mxng-rzwp-lrpopeltwpia%3CcqojSu%3E0m32s80m306269zt_eb%3Ctor%3Em79rvcox-53am-7362-89p8-m3k31k6z3t6k%3Czoj%3E&feed=true&limit_count=100&request_count=8