The County government of Mombasa is set to undertake the Likoni Estates redevelopment project to construct 3,200 housing units at an estimated cost of Sh8 billion.
The county has partnered with Goldland Rinco Company Limited that has been awarded the project to develop the housing units under a public-private partnership agreement.
It will consist of 1,600 three bedroom units, 1,000 two bedroom units and 600 one bedroom units once completed.
The project will be undertaken in two estates owned by the county, that is Likoni Flats and Likoni Customs which now are both home to 348 families.
On Wednesday morning, the county government began a three-day public participation forum to collect views from the tenants and other Likoni residents living near the area.
Briefing the media at the Mwahima Stadium in Likoni, Dr. June Mwajuma, lands and housing chief officer said that so far the project was going on well with talks currently underway with the tenants on how to move them out.
She said that once completed, first priority will be given to the tenants and people residing in Likoni before consideration is given to other Mombasa residents outside Likoni.
“We expect to break ground in July and complete the project in two years’ time, first priority will be given to the 348 tenants and Likoni residents once the project is complete,” said Mwajuma.
She said that the low cost housing project was in line with the country’s big four agenda on housing as outlined by president Uhuru Kenyatta adding that they had already agreed on a relocation plan with the tenants.
“We have had several meetings with the tenants concerning their relocation as we undertake the project, we have proposed to give them sh150,000, we are still in talks and hope that we shall soon reach an agreement,” she said.
She added that the cost of each housing unit will be determined by a survey on the current market value adding that the residents will enjoy a sh200,000 discount on the housing unit they purchase.
The tenants however refused the sh150,000 relocation fee saying that it was too little. They called on the county and the developer to raise the amount to at least sh250,000.
“The amount is too little if you compare with the time we will be out until the project is complete, some of us had established business here meaning that as we move out, we have to find how we are going to reestablish our businesses,” said Steven Otieno, a resident of Likoni Flats.
Otieno called for transparency in the entire process of allocating houses once the project is complete sighting that some of them feared getting shortchanged by the developer once the project is completed.
His sentiments were echoed by Rehema Chao who said that they needed ample time to move out because they had children who were in school expecting to sit for their national examinations soon.
“We are not opposed to the project, but you have to consider our school-going children, if you move us out now, how will they be able to prepare for their national exams?” she posed.
The sessions will go on until Friday before a report on the environment and social impact study and public consultation meeting with the tenants and residents is prepared.
