Mombasa County halts Buxton Point construction over unmet developer obligations
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Mombasa County has suspended construction at the Buxton Point affordable housing redevelopment, saying the developer has not met obligations agreed with the county and commitments made to former residents of the estate.
Mombasa County has announced an immediate suspension of construction works at the Buxton Point housing project, citing the developer's failure to meet obligations agreed with the county government and commitments made to former residents of the estate. County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Urban Planning and Housing Mohamed Hussein said work would remain halted until the outstanding issues are resolved and the county reaches an agreement with the national government.
"There is an agreement between the county and the national government before construction is done. The obligations have not been met. From today, no construction will take place here and I will write a letter halting construction until we reach an agreement," Hussein said. The decision puts the multi-billion-shilling redevelopment at the centre of a renewed dispute over the terms of the partnership, the county's share of the completed houses and the fate of families displaced to make way for construction.
The project involves redevelopment of the former Buxton Estate through a partnership between the Mombasa County Government, then under Governor Hassan Joho, and private investors led by businessman Suleiman Shahbal through GulfCap Africa Investment Partners. Government housing project information lists 1,850 units comprising bedsitters and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a kindergarten, commercial centre, swimming pool, gym and recreational spaces.
A total of 522 tenants were displaced from the old estate on 5 March 2021, each receiving Sh240,000 to facilitate relocation and an opportunity to buy units in the new development. Some former residents say they cannot afford the new houses, while others question when they will be allowed to return. Under the arrangements cited by the county, the government is entitled to 10 per cent of the housing units and commercial spaces, and correspondence sent to the developer in September 2026 reportedly raised concerns over the allocation and transfer of the county's share, performance security and other outstanding obligations.
The dispute has also drawn in the Senate, whose committee on Roads and Housing held a consultative meeting with former Buxton residents in 2025 over transparency in the joint venture agreement and delays in implementing recommendations meant to safeguard their interests. During that meeting, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the county was committed to ensuring former residents received the 184 units allocated to the county by the developer once the houses were handed over.
The suspension could further delay completion and handover of the development, prolonging uncertainty for former tenants who have waited years to return to the neighbourhood.