Nyali MP Hezron Awiti claims MCAs forced to endorse Sh200bn Joho housing plan
Some of the houses in Khadija estate that the Mombasa County government intends to demolish and construct new units at cost Sh200 billion. Nyali MP Hezron Awiti has declared he would move to court to challenge the endorsement of the project by the County Assembly. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The county government is receiving bids for implementing the project that targets building of 30,000 houses by 2035.
- On Thursday, the County Assembly adopted a report on the proposed plan.
- Mr Awiti claimed was not intended to benefit low-income earners.
- Mr Njaramba claimed that some of the project’s opponents were involved in grabbing of land.
The row over the proposed Sh200 billion Mombasa housing project moved a notch higher after Nyali MP Hezron Awiti declared he would move to court to challenge its endorsement last week by the County Assembly.
Governor Hassan Joho plans to replace old houses in 10 estates — Khadija, Miritini, Changamwe, Tudor, Mzizima, Buxton, Likoni, Nyerere, Tom Mboya and Kaa Chonjo — with new ones in partnership with private developers.
The county government is receiving bids for implementing the project that targets building of 30,000 houses by 2035.
On Thursday, the County Assembly adopted a report on the proposed plan.
“The Mombasa government is authorised by the assembly to carry out the proposed redevelopment of old estates as per details contained in this report,” Housing Committee chairman Saad Faraj said.
But the assembly has since come under heavy criticism with a section of leaders claiming that the MCAs were coerced into endorsing the project.
MCAS USED AS 'RUBBER-STAMP'
Mr Awiti dismissed the passing of the law, saying the MCAs had been used to “rubber-stamp” the plan he claimed was not intended to benefit low-income earners.
He said they had legalised a project meant for the rich.
“We are saddened and disturbed by the casual manner in which the leadership of Mombasa County Government is taking this proposed development, ignoring any opposing voice for a project that will have far-reaching socioeconomic implications,” said Mr Awiti.
He added: “Let it be known at the outset that we are not against development because we would like to see our peoples’ lives improve.
“But any development coming to the people has to be structured and accommodate views from everyone for it to be sustainable.”
While those opposed to the project — including Senator Hassan Omar, politician Suleiman Shahbal and the civil society — say there were no proper consultations, Land and Housing Executive Anthony Njaramba said they had held several meetings with tenants in the affected areas.
Speaking to the Nation in an interview at Khadija Estate last week, some tenants, however, said they were kept in the dark over how the project would be implemented.
OPPONENTS GRABBED LAND
Mr Njaramba also claimed that some of the project’s opponents were involved in grabbing of land — particularly at Khadija, where he said more than 50 acres of the estate were illegally reallocated.
On Sunday, Mr Mohamed Hatimy, nominated MCA and chairman of the Finance Committee, dismissed Mr Awiti’s ‘rubber-stamping’ claims as “rubbish”, saying the project had gone through the relevant approvals.
“There is no way MCAs could have been compromised to endorse the project, because it will benefit the people of Mombasa, not politicians,” said Mr Hatimy.
“These claims are rubbish and are intended to cast the governor in bad light.”
Mr Awiti also said Mr Joho’s dismissal of the project’s opponents did not portray a leader “who is keen on accommodating opinions and coming up with a plan that is acceptable to all”.
“For a leader to say that the project is unstoppable even in the face of opposition is clear indication of failure of the leaders to understand the provisions of the constitution that calls for proper consultations before any project is implemented,” Mr Awiti said.
