Construction of the Buxton affordable housing project in Mombasa has formally begun. The development includes the building of a projected 1,900 housing units by May 2022, with 600 one-bedroom units, 700 two-bedroom units and 600 three-bedroom units.

In addition to much needed affordable housing the developers are hoping the project will create 750 jobs directly and some 3,000 jobs indirectly, in the area.

The project developer Mr Suleiman Shahbal told the media, “The project will be a game-changer in the county as it will provide job opportunities to our youth”.

The project, which has been in planning since 2016, was held up in October 2020 when some local residents moved to court to argue that they were protected tenants and could not be evicted. But a ruling by Justice Sila Munyao in the Mombasa High Court said there was no violation of tenants’ rights, dismissing the claim.