Buxton Point Builder Hands Keys to New Homeowners

Phase one of Buxton Point Estate in Mombasa has been handed over to its owners, marking a major feat for a project that faced uncertainty due to legal challenges.

A total of 584 units, built by GulfCap Real Estate in partnership with the county government of Mombasa, which provided the land, were handed over to the owners last weekend.

According to GulfCap Real Estate CEO Chris Ochieng, the handover of the affordable houses underscores the company’s dedication to making housing accessible to all Kenyans.

“We are proud to be the first private developer in partnership with the government to hand over an affordable housing project of this magnitude in Kenya. This achievement underscores our dedication to making quality housing accessible to all,” Mr. Ochieng said.

Range of amenities

The Sh6 billion Buxton Point project includes amenities such as children’s play areas, a basketball court, and a swimming pool, among others.  

“What sets Buxton Point apart is not just the quality of our homes, but the sense of belonging we foster within our community. By offering a diverse range of amenities, we empower residents to live life to the fullest,” he said.

The handover of the houses now paves the way for the launch of the second phase of the project, which will see the construction of an additional 1,400 units.

“To contribute to the cascading effect of the project and spice up its outlook, Phase 2 will involve the construction of 16 floors that will provide our clients with a fascinating sea view from their apartments and appreciate the beauty of Mombasa,” Mr. Ochieng said.

RELATED: Inside Mombasa’s Sh19bn Affordable Housing Project

The Buxton Point project, which has been in the works since 2016, has suffered its share of legal challenges that threatened to stop it for good.

In October 2020, 13 residents moved to court to stop its inauguration, saying they were protected tenants who could not be evicted by the county government.

The residents wanted the court to declare that Buxton Point Apartment Ltd., which is owned by Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal, did not have the capacity to tamper with any portion of the land where the estate stands.

The petitioners claimed the county illegally used the Public Private Partnership Act to confer a benefit over the use of public land on a private firm.

But in a ruling in March 2021, Justice Sila Munyao dismissed the petition, saying the county had given the applicants enough time to vacate and even volunteered to compensate them.

Justice Munyao said there was no violation of the tenants’ rights in the way they were expected to move out, dismissing their claim of being protected tenants.

Following the ruling, the county government quickly issued a relocation allowance of Sh240,000 to the affected tenants. In addition, the developer paid a Sh60,000 deposit for each family as a commitment to buying the units.

In August 2021, the project suffered another blow when the Senate Transport and Infrastructure Committee suspended it over compensation issues.

The committee, which was chaired by then Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi, made the orders following petitions from a section of Mombasa residents who claim the project is shrouded in secrecy while being implemented on public land.

This issue was later dismissed.

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