Senators have given the national government and the Mombasa government 14 days to finalise a formal agreement that guarantees accommodation for former Buxton Housing tenants in Phase II of the redevelopment project.
Senate Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing chairperson Eddy Oketch said such an agreement would ensure the remaining tenants are included in the affordable housing programme.
“In the next 14 days, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and the Mombasa Governor, in the presence of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Transport, and Roads, must sign that agreement,” he said.
He spoke during a meeting with the Mombasa Governor and former Buxton Housing tenants.
In April, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said 336 former tenants will be prioritised in Phase II of the project, which started in February.
Tenants were also promised access to the Tenant Purchase Scheme, allowing them to pay rent towards eventual ownership of the allocated units.
During Phase I of the project, only 180 former tenants were allocated homes, leaving over 330 without units, sparking widespread uproar.
Despite assurances in April that formal agreements would be signed to secure the inclusion of these tenants in Phase II, no tangible progress has been made since.
On Saturday, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir came under pressure to explain what the county government had done to protect the interests of the former tenants.
Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi, a former Buxton tenant, said the governor should be transparent with residents.
“As a former tenant of Buxton, we want to know your plan to ensure former tenants get their houses back,” she said.
Marsabit Senator Chute Mohamed said the county had previously signed an agreement with the tenants and called on Nassir to clarify the status of that agreement.
“Let’s first talk about the agreement between the county government and the people. Once those units are allocated, we will ask the Housing Department to provide the necessary funding,” he said.
“If the agreement signed by the former Governor is still valid, just let us know.”
The senators warned that if the matter is not handled seriously, former tenants would continue to suffer.
They also expressed frustration that Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga failed to attend the meeting at the Kenya School of Government in Mombasa, despite confirming.
Nassir said he has always fought for Buxton residents and will continue to do so.
“I have no problem with the former tenants getting houses. I will keep advocating for what is rightfully theirs. As governor, I have written to the ministry multiple times,” he said.
“I do not need to be reminded of my constitutional obligation to protect these people. That is something I took an oath to do," he said.
Despite his defense, senators pressed him for a clearer explanation, particularly on why the agreement had not been finalised.
“Why is it difficult for you to sign this agreement with the Housing Department? Can we get a timeline?” Chute asked.
Nassir said the question should be directed to the Housing Department.
“You need to ask them. I want you to ask the CS this particular question; hasn't the governor of Mombasa reached out to your department four times?” he said.
Nassir accused the national government of playing politics.
“The government is playing politics. They haven’t responded to the county’s concerns but wrote a non-committal letter to one of the former tenants. Why didn’t they use the same effort to reply to the governor?” he asked.
Nassir said he is ready to finalise the agreement immediately.
“Call a meeting with the Housing PS. The Mombasa governor will come with the county attorney. Let the developers also come for finalisation,” he said.
Nassir also expressed frustrations over being left in the dark regarding other affordable housing initiatives in Mombasa, including the Likoni and Mzizima projects.
“I’ve reviewed all available designs. All the State Department of Housing has to do is tell us, "Governor, these are the houses available; whether they are part of the county’s share or from the developer,” he said.
Phase I of the Sh6 billion Buxton Point project includes 584 units.
Phase II will consist of 1,500 units.
