Buxton Estate residents in Mombasa have declared war on businessman Suleiman Shahbal over a housing project tender.
The residents are collecting signatures to go to court to stop Shahbal and partners from doing a controversial housing project that will result in the demolition of 500 houses to pave way for new buildings for sale.
Shahbal through Buxton Point Apartments has reportedly mobilized Sh6 billion from local banks to undertake the project after landing the tender from Mombasa county government. According to Mombasa governor Hassan Joho, Shahbal won the tender fairly and it has nothing to do with succession politics.
It is, however, not clear when Shahbal’s firm bid for the tender and who were the competitors. It is widely believed, the multibillion shilling tender award to Shahbal is part of the fruits of his “handshake” with Joho.
The duo made a political truce several months ago after bitter fallout during the 2013 and 2017 general election as they competed for the highly-priced governor’s seat. In recent months, there had been speculation that Joho was grooming Shahbal to succeed him after his term ends in less than two years.
This narrative has, however, kept on changing with reports of an alleged rebellion within Joho camp, with the county chief’s close allies reportedly uncomfortable with Shahbal’s intended entry in ODM with an eye on the governor’s seat. Shahbal has himself not helped matters after he held a meeting with a section of Mombasa Wiper leaders a move that has sent mixed signals to his supporters.
Back to the Buxton housing project, until 2017, Shahbal was opposed to Joho’s plan to redevelop low-cost housing estates owned by the county government at a cost Sh200 billion through private-public partnership calling it a ripoff.
Observers say the Buxton Estate housing controversy is likely to become another political baggage for Shahbal and cost him Mijikenda votes if not handled well. Bitter tenants have accused Shahbal of rushing public participation engagements, saying the last one which was held at Wild Waters Resort comprised of county employees who were ferried to the venue to hoodwink Mombasa residents that the process was all-inclusive and had the blessing of the affected tenants.
The tenants have accused the self-proclaimed Buxton Residents Welfare Group of purporting to represent their interests, yet they represent their personal interests in the matter. The affected families want the process stopped by the courts until proper engagements take place with a view of ensuring minimal disruption if the project has to go on. Joho has vowed that the project cannot be stopped, claiming his interest is to change people’s lives by making them property owners
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