Tudor residents protest potential eviction for Mombasa affordable housing project

Residents of Tudor in Mombasa are outraged by what they believe are covert intentions to evict them to make room for an affordable housing development.

The concerned locals claim that the County Government has already approved the proposal, ignoring their input and welfare.

Residents are concerned that the project may lead to the sale of the Tudor Estate and Muoroto community, which have long-standing communities.

“We demand fairness and transparency. The county has been elusive about this project, which threatens our homes and livelihoods. We recall the situation at Buxton Estate, where tenants were displaced after empty promises,” said John Tsuma, one of the residents.

According to Tsuma, residents have been ignored, citing the Buxton Estate controversy, in which it was determined following a Senate petition that residents should be fully involved in such developments, with tenant purchase agreements explicitly specified before any action is made.

"Even though no public consultation has occurred, the project appears to be set to begin. We attempted to engage the county, but they avoided us. That is why we are here today. The governor must explain why our estates are being sold off," Tsuma stated.

Husna Aisha, Organising Secretary of the Tudor Tenants Committee, stated, "The county's unwillingness to engage us in public consultations is a flagrant infringement of our fundamental rights. We are being excluded from decisions that will have far-reaching consequences for our lives."

Responding, Mohamed Hussein Mohamed, County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Renewal, attempted to calm the tension by emphasising the need to follow proper legal procedures.

"These demonstrators are our residents, and there are plans to renovate the old estates and convert tenants into homeowners. We acknowledge their worries and will ensure they benefit from the project. While a contractor has been picked, all relevant legal formalities, including public participation, will be completed before the project can proceed. This initiative is for the people, not for personal gain," Mohamed stated.