President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to lead the national government in an ambitious partnership with Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho that will see the the coastal city host the largest affordable housing project in Kenya.
President Kenyatta will oversee the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ksh6 billion Buxton Project in Mombasa County on May 1 despite the rejection of the project by a section of Mombasa politicians.
According to Housing and Urban Development PS Charles Hinga and Head of Presidential Delivery Unit Andrew Wakahiuthe, the project had already been approved by the head of state.
This comes after the Environment and Land Court in Mombasa County dismissed an application by residents who sought to restrain the county government from demolishing houses in the estate.
The Buxton project was launched by Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, and was among 10 estates that had been targeted for demolition to pave way for the construction of 1900 new housing units by the government.
However, Justice Sila Munyao of the Mombasa Environment and Land court declined the petition stating that the tenants had been given enough time to vacate the premises and that it was not a violation of their rights as they had suggested.
More than 500 residents were forced out of the houses after which they were awarded with Ksh240, 000 each as relocation allowance.
The project has continued to face rejection from Mombasa leaders who argued that there were no grounds as to why the county government had entered into a partnership with a private entity, in this case being businessman Suleiman Shahbal who won the tender to build the houses.
The leaders further called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate Joho over alleged corruption.
"The ongoing ills in this county call for a probe but because of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), Joho is untouchable. But a day will come when you will pay for the oppression. We will not tire, we will continue fighting for residents’ rights through the courts and politically," said Nyali MP Mohammed Ali.
Among the Coastal leaders who rejected the project included Joho's longtime ally Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, former Senator Hassan Omar, ward reps Charles Kitula and Faith Mwende.
The project is under the Public Private Partnership which aims at improving living standards and boosting economy in the area by creating more than 3,750 jobs both directly and indirectly.
“The project will be a game changer in the county as it will provide job opportunities to our youth,” said Shahbal.
