Mombasa: Gov't Evicts Hundreds Of Changamwe Residents To Pave Way For Affordable Housing

• It was business unusual for hundreds of tenants in the National Housing Corporation (NHC) houses in Changamwe
• This is after officials from the government entity descended on their houses and tore them down to pave the way for new ones
• According to the NHC, the masterplan is to construct 9,000 high-rise residential units and commercial spaces as part of the government's affordable housing project

As the government's affordable housing project hots up, hundreds of residents in Mombasa county's Changamwe area have been rendered homeless.

They lost their homes after National Housing Corporation (NHC) officers demolished the ancient structures.

NHC to construct 9k houses

According to the Daily Nation, the officers descended on the houses and pulled down the roofs of the houses, which have existed for over 30 years.

There are over 790 units in the estate, including detached houses, bungalows and maisonettes.

NHC intends to use the space to construct 9,000 high-rise residential units and commercial spaces.

Other amenities in the master-plan include primary and secondary schools, recreational centres, and a sports facility.

Court issued eviction order

The affected residents, however, expressed disappointment at how the process was being undertaken and accused the government of leaving them without alternative housing.

One of them disclosed that she was comfortable paying the KSh 7,500 monthly rent for her two-bedroom house and didn't know where to find such a deal as houses are expensive.

They expressed worries that even if they find accommodation for the time being, they may not be able to afford the KSh 15,000 rent once the new buildings are ready for tenancy.

The hammer fell on the hapless tenants after the Environment and Land Court dismissed their case and gave NHC the go-ahead to demolish their houses.

Athi River demolitions

NHC told the court that the tenants were notified to vacate the property for redevelopment in January 2018.

"The tenants were given alternative new houses to relocate to within the same area developed by the corporation," reads part of the court documents.

Changamwe evictions come barely three months since hundreds of other Kenyans were rendered homeless when their houses were demolished in Athi River.

In the wake of the destruction, Lands PS Nixon Korir clarified that the government would not compensate the affected.

Korir said the entity that courted the victims into buying the land, Aimi MA Lukenya Sacco, was to be held accountable and compelled to compensate the investors.

The land belongs to the East African Portland Cement Company, whose ownership was underscored by a Machakos court.