State injects Sh31 billion into affordable housing projects in Mombasa

SADIK HASSAN-KNA

The Government, through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, has invested heavily in affordable housing projects in the Port City of Mombasa as part of efforts to spur social and economic transformation.

The ambitious projects aim to strengthen Mombasa’s position as the country’s second capital after Nairobi and a key gateway to East Africa through the port, amid rapid urbanisation.

A total of 10,000 housing units are expected to be constructed in Nyali, Mvita, Likoni, Kisauni, Changamwe and Jomvu sub-counties under the Affordable Housing Programme.

The latest project to be launched is the Makupa Modern Mixed-Use Urban Development and associated infrastructure in Mvita Sub-County, costing Sh685 million.

It involves the redevelopment of the historic 106-year-old Majengo Market. The contractor is already on site, and the old structure has been demolished to pave the way for the redevelopment.

President William Ruto laid the foundation stone during his recent development tour of the Coast region.

The project is expected to be completed within 12 months. 

The re-development will transform the old market into a 13-floor mixed-use development comprising a modern market, residential units, offices, restaurants, food courts, conference and meeting rooms, a guard house, waste management facilities and a power house.

The project is a testament to the government’s commitment to dignifying trading areas and promoting businesses. Similar mixed-use developments are set to be implemented at Sega and the Old Town Fish Market, both in Mvita Sub-County.

Residents were also assured that the Sh20 billion Mwache Multi purpose Dam Project will be completed within the next six months.

The project is currently 83 per cent complete and is expected to significantly reduce Mombasa County’s chronic water shortage.

The project aims to sustainably improve water security and build climate resilience by increasing bulk water supply and expanding access to water and sanitation services in the Coastal region.

The project is designed to include a main dam, a lower check dam and an upper check dam.

The main dam, with a height of 84 metres and a crest length of 526 metres, will have a storage capacity of 127 million cubic metres of water.