Hundreds of residents in Mombasa’s Changamwe estate are facing the threat of eviction as the National Housing Corporation (NHC) initiates the demolition of existing structures. NHC says the demolition will be done to make way for a comprehensive upgrade under the affordable housing scheme.
According to NHC, Changamwe estate, which presently comprises of more than 792 units, including bungalows and maisonettes, is slated for clearance to make room for new construction.
The NHC has outlined plans to build 9,000 units in the estate, featuring high-rise residential buildings, commercial spaces, educational institutions such as a kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, recreational spaces, a sports facility, and various other amenities.
However, the ambitious redevelopment has stirred discontent among long-term tenants, who accuse the government of using the affordable housing plan as a pretext to compel them to leave the estate.
A resident expressed frustration at being evicted without being provided alternative accommodation. “I have been here for over 30 years; where does the government expect me to go after evicting me without offering alternative housing?” she questioned.
Despite the NHC’s earlier assurance that it would prioritize current tenants who settled their rent arrears and signed a tenancy agreement for accommodation in the new housing project, these concerns have prompted many tenants to seek legal intervention. However, their case was recently dismissed by Environment and Land Court Judge Nelly Ma. The situation remains tense as residents grapple with uncertainty and fears of displacement.
