Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing chaired by Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thangwa, today held a meeting with Petitioners on the Petition concerning eviction and demolition of Buxton Estate in Mvita Constituency, Mombasa County.

In the petition, the evictees of Buxton told the Committee there was confusion and deception by the County Government of Mombasa and the developer of the entire Urban Renewal and Regeneration Project, Buxton Points Apartments Limited on matters regarding the land ownership and tenure as well as the nature of the project. 

The petitioners informed the committee that title deeds numbers and plot numbers shared by the County of Mombasa and the developer has been confusing and a deliberate attempt to deceit the general public and courts.Furthermore, the representatives of the evictees demonstrated to the committee that the intended re-development shall undoubtedly be done on public land without the input or approval of the National Lands Commission.

Deputy Secretary General for the petitioners, Mr. John Samuel Tsuma said that those two years since the commencement of Buxton Project, there has been no guarantee that the petitioners will be considered as tenants after the re-development of the project. 

“The County and the Developer were not candid by proposing a tenant purchase scheme on one hand and an off-plan purchase on the other hand. The petitioners were economically disadvantaged at the time of their eviction.” Said the Deputy secretary General.

 In addition, the petitioners stated that they were paying a rent of Ksh. 5,000/- per month, however the residents were not able to raise Ksh. 1.2 million for studio, Ksh. 1.8m for one bedroom, Ksh. 3m for two-bedroom and Ksh. 4.2 m for a three-bedroom apartment, within 7 days upon execution of the sale agreement.

The committee was told that an agreement to terminate the tenancy and acceptance form to purchase property at the point of receiving a facilitation allowance of Ksh. 300,000. The developer retained Ksh. 60,000 showing commitment by the petitioners to purchase the new houses. No offer letters were issued to the petitioners.

Finally, the petitioners made prayers to the Senate through the Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing to revisit the regeneration project with the aim of serving public interest, unearthing the truth and make independent report and recommendations.

The chairman of the Committee, Senator Karungo Thangwa instructed the committee secretariat to invite Mombasa County and the Buxton Housing Developer in two weeks’ time to deliberate on the petition by Buxton evictees.

 Members present were;

Sen. Peris Tobiko- Vice Chairperson

Sen. Enoch Wambua

Sen. Steward Madzayo

Sen. Mohammed Chute

Sen. John Kinyua

Sen. Faki Mohammed

Sen. Miraj Abdillahi