Senate grills Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir over Sh6 billion Buxton housing project

The governor said he supported the Buxton tenants including the cost of legal services when he served as Mvita MP but they lost the case in court.

But the senators said the petitioners have expressed concern that they could not afford the new units and hence they have been left out of the housing deal.

"The people of Buxton came to us for a review of the agreement between the county government and the developer. Most people cannot afford the houses because they have no access to mortgage scheme," said Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Sifuna urged the county government and the developer to consider a long term tenant purchase agreement to ensure the petitioners who are poor also benefit.

He noted that the county government appeared to have secured houses for its 176 employees who used to live at Buxton estate.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said the petitioners were trying to catch up with a matter that has already been determined.

"It is unfortunate that the petitioners are trying to catch up with a bus that has already left the station," he noted.

Buxton Point which is associated with businessman and East African Community Legislative Assembly MP Shahbal removed the tenants from Buxton in 2021 and developed 2000 units that are nearly complete.

The tenants were each given a relocation allowance of Sh240,000 that was agreed between them and the county government and the developer.

The tenants were given the option to book a house of their choice at the site and were offered an additional Sh60,000 for deposit in case they decide to buy a unit.