ODM leader Raila Odinga has said he is convinced that the  Sh6 billion Buxton housing project in Mombasa is a worthy cause.

The project, being undertaken by businessman Suleiman Shahbal is to start in January. About 500 units at the county’s Buxton estate will be redesigned and redeveloped into 1,860 modern units. Over 1,000 people have so far expressed interest in the new houses.

Raila made the remarks after meeting Suleiman Shahbal at his office in Nairobi on Thursday morning.

"I have followed the Buxton Point Affordable Housing Project in Mombasa with keen interest because it could mark the beginning of similar initiatives by the private sector across the country." said Raila

Adding "A briefing earlier today by Mr Suleiman Shahbal got me more convinced it’s a worthy cause."

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has also endorsed the project.

Residents will receive Sh240,000 as relocation allowance, with the developer paying a Sh60,000 deposit for each of the relocated residents as commitment for purchasing of the new units, cheques will be issued to the current tenants on October 1. The project is expected to take two years to complete.

One-bedroom houses will cost Sh1.8 million each, two-bedroom  Sh3 million,  three-bedroom units will go for Sh4.2 million with bedsitters going for less than Sh1 million .

The project has however received opposition from a section of leaders from the county led by former Senator Hassan Omar and Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/1755-stop-depending-on-handouts-shahbal-tells-omar

Both Shahbal and Omar are eyeing the  Mombasa gubernatorial seat in 2022.