Mombasa’s Buxton Point Project Delivers 584 Homes, Expands With 1,400 More Units

Mombasa's Buxton Point, a Ksh 6 billion public-private partnership, stands as a significant example of affordable housing and urban regeneration in Kenya, with all 584 first-phase residential units sold and occupied as of late 2023. 

The project, a collaborative effort between the Mombasa County Government and GulfCap Real Estate, transformed a dilapidated housing estate into a modern residential community. The development offers properties ranging from Ksh 2.9 million for one-bedroom apartments to Ksh 6.1 million for three-bedroom homes, prices considered accessible to local buyers. The second phase, launched in November 2023, is adding 1,400 units to address sustained demand.

The project did face significant challenges. In 2020, legal disputes arose when former residents contested the legality of their eviction to enable the redevelopment. The Environment and Land Court ruled in favour of the county government in March 2021, validating the evictions and the public-private partnership framework. Affected tenants received financial compensation and subsidies towards new homes to mitigate the impact of displacement.

Buxton Point extends beyond basic housing provision, incorporating green spaces, sports courts, a swimming pool, a community centre, and early childhood education facilities. This integrated design aims to foster community well-being, according to GulfCap CEO Chris Ochieng. "We've built more than housing---we've built community," he said.