The construction of 35,000 affordable housing units in Mombasa, which is part of President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four Agenda, has began.
In an interview with the Kenya News Agency (KNA), Mombasa County Housing Chief Officer June Mwajuma confirmed that the construction has commenced in four estates with plans to scale it to three more in future.
The regions where the project has kicked off, according to the county official are Mvita, Changamwe, Nyali and Likoni Sub-counties.
Mwajuma further noted that the project, which is a partnership with private entities, is slated for completion in a period of two years.
The project, in the four estates will be carried out in three phases in Buxton, Mzizima, Likoni, Khadija, Miritini and Changamwe.
"This is a joint venture where the county gives the land for the investors to develop the housing units.
"Under the agreement, the investors sell a certain percentage of the developed housing units, as per the affordable housing framework developed by the national government and the county back a certain percentage to house its staff and accommodate vulnerable families affected by natural disasters like floods," stated Mwajuma.
She further explained that Coast residents would receive a Ksh200,000 discount on the house sales with the first priority given to those who initially occupied the old houses.
Notices have already been issued to the occupants of the houses earmarked for the project as the county finalises on the deal with investors.
114 families have been asked to vacate in Mzizima Estate while 1,700 units are expected to be built at the site. The project is estimated to cost Ksh5 billion.
At Likoni estates, 3,200 units are expected to be set up at a cost of Ksh8 billion.
"We have issued notice to Likoni estate tenants after the successful conclusion of the public participation exercise in which we explained the importance of the redevelopment of the estates," she explained.
How to Apply
Interested candidates seeking to occupy the apartments can make applications through bomayangu.co.ke giving details of the houses they seek to occupy.
Applicants must be Kenyan citizens aged above 18 years and with a valid national identity card.
"You must then complete your profile by submitting your personal details, housing preferences (the type of house you are applying for).
"Upon registration, your details are verified with the relevant government stakeholders for authenticity," reads the statement.
The exercise is free of charge, applicants are only expected to pay for units once the verification exercise is complete.
