NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 10 – Mombasa County has announced an immediate suspension of construction works at the Buxton Point housing project, citing failure by the developer to meet obligations agreed upon with the county government and commitments made to former residents of the estate.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Urban Planning and Housing Mohamed Hussein said construction would remain suspended until the outstanding issues were resolved and the county reached an agreement with the national government.
“There is an agreement between the county and the national government before construction is done. The obligations have not been met. From today, no construction will take place here and I will write a letter halting construction until we reach an agreement,” Hussein said.
The decision places the multi-billion-shilling redevelopment project at the centre of a renewed dispute over the terms of the partnership, the county government’s share of the completed houses and the fate of families displaced to pave the way for construction.
The Buxton project involves the redevelopment of the former Buxton Estate through a partnership between the Mombasa County Government, then under Governor Hassan Joho, and private investors led by businessman Suleiman Shahbal through GulfCap Africa Investment Partners.
The project was designed to replace the old estate with modern affordable apartments and supporting facilities.
