Buxton Point: Mombasa’s Affordable Housing Blueprint

Buxton Point in Mombasa is one of the best examples of what affordable housing in Kenya can achieve. With the project fully sold out, the project—once mired in legal and political challenges—now stands as a model for urban redevelopment.

In September 2023, 584 units were handed over at Buxton Point, a Sh6 billion project by GulfCap Real Estate and the Mombasa County Government.

It stands as a model public-private effort in tackling Kenya’s housing needs.

“We are proud to be the first private developer to deliver an affordable housing project of this magnitude,” said GulfCap Real Estate CEO Chris Ochieng. “Buxton Point shows that it is possible to offer quality homes at fair prices without compromising on design or amenities.”

Fully sold out

All unit types—ranging from one-bedroom apartments starting at KES 2.9 million to three-bedroom units priced at KES 6.1 million—have been sold out. 

This speaks to the local market’s appetite for well-designed affordable housing.

Project amenities

Buxton Point is designed to foster a sense of community, with features such as:

• A swimming pool, gym, and sports courts
• Children’s playgrounds and an early schooling centre
• A community centre, food courts, and outdoor recreational areas
• Extensive green spaces and thoughtfully planned walkways

According to Mr Ochieng, Buxton Point not only offers quality homes but also a deep sense of belonging for the residents and their visitors. 

“We’ve built more than housing—we’ve built community,” he says.

Legal challenges

Buxton Point, conceptualized in 2016, was almost derailed by lawsuits and political interference. In 2020, a group of residents sought to block it through the courts, claiming unlawful eviction. 

However, in March 2021, the Environment and Land Court dismissed the case and upheld the legality of the evictions and Mombasa County’s use of public-private partnership laws.

RELATED: Inside Mombasa’s Sh19bn Affordable Housing Project

Affected tenants were given Sh240,000 to facilitate their relocation and an additional Sh60,000 deposit toward the purchase of the planned houses. 

Buxton Point also faced Senate scrutiny in August 2021, but the issues raised were later resolved, allowing construction to proceed without hindrances. 

Phase two of Buxton Point was launched in November 2023, adding 1,400 new units.

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