Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has dismissed claims that the project to redevelop old estates in the county has been stopped.
Joho said the Sh200 billion project to redevelop old estates will continue as planned to address the housing demand in the county.
The housing project has faced stiff opposition from some leaders and tenants who have expressed fear that the tenants will be forcefully evicted from their houses.
The tenants who have threatened to go to court to stop the project have also claimed that after completion of the project they will be locked out while some complained that they were not consulted.
Speaking in Mombasa Town on Saturday, Joho said that the current tenants who will be affected will be given the first priority to own the new houses.
“Whether you like it or not, we are going to continue with the project undeterred for the sake of thousands of Mombasa residents.”
“Some tenants have threatened to go to court to stop the project but I assure them that they will also benefit from the project. Those who will be told to vacate as the houses are being built will have their house rent paid by the county government.”
“The current demand for housing in Mombasa stands at 25,000 units per year against and annual supply of 4,000 units,” said Joho.
Two weeks ago, the county government had said it will redevelop the estates to create an additional 30,000 housing units.