Hundreds of residents in Mombasa's Buxton estate have been left homeless following the demolition of their homes by the County Government of Mombasa.
The process is expected to pave way for the construction of a multi-billion housing project in the area. The project will have 1,900 housing units.
Residents aired their displeasure with the manner of the demolitions, alleging that they were not informed by the county to allow them take out their property or seek alternative settlements.
File image of a residential building in Buxton Estate, Mombasa County. |Photo| Courtesy|
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The county government is set to compensate the residents, to help them acquire residence elsewhere pending the completion of the project.
Bulldozers are said to have invaded the area on the morning of March 5, and have so far demolished 9 buildings with several others to go.
Residents claim to have also lost property worth millions of shillings as shops and other business premises were brought down by county askaris.
The demolitions come a day after a Mombasa Court rejected an application by residents aimed at stopping the project.
Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and the developer have issued severance cheques to a section of residents in support of the project.
"They came abruptly without even informing us so that we can plan on where to go," a resident stated.
"This is a big form of intimidation. We went to court, we got a court order, but the demolitions are still ongoing," another added.
The development is aimed at improving and providing modern and affordable housing units to residents of Mombasa.
