Mombasa County to redevelop its housing estates at cost of Sh5 billion

MOMBASA, KENYA: Mombasa county government has initiated plans to redevelop its 11 housing estates through a public private partnership (PPP) short- term ventures, it was established on Wednesday.
Private investors are expected to inject in excess of Sh5 billion in the project expected to kick off as early as next month. The project will cater for more than 10,000 people in its initial phase, according to authorities.
County secretary Mr Francis Thoya said the county government would use land as equity in the investment with private investors and not cash.
He added that the county government has already appointed SS Malonza limited as its transaction advisor who would identify the investors in the venture.
The project dubbed 'urban renewal and redevelopment of old estates' has earmarked the modernization of various housing estates across the coastal city.
"The houses to be redeveloped shall be offered to members of the public to buy on long term lease basis or be rented where necessary. We want to move away from rental to owner occupier arrangement because the cost of maintenance has been a challenge," Thoya explained.
Changamwe ward representative Mr Jimmy Odari welcomed the project saying that some of the county government housing estates were too old and in a deplorable state.
"This project will ensure residents of Mombasa live in decent low cost houses and also enable the county government to prudently utilize land through high rise buildings," said Mr Odari.
According to Mr Thoya, the first phase of the project is aimed at developing two new estates and redeveloping seven old estates into modern housing estates with improved housing facilities and infrastructure to meet the rising demand for housing units in the county.
The old estates earmarked for modernization are Khadija Estate, Miritini Greenfields, Shimo La Greenfields, Changamwe Estate, Tudor Estate, Buxton Estate, Mzizima Estate, Likoni Estate and Nyerere Estate.
The county government explained that the pilot programme would be the redevelopment of Khadija estate, Miritini Greenfields, Changamwe estate, Likoni estate and Nyerere estate.
Thoya explained that local and international bidders would participate in the joint venture partnership with the county government.