Former tenants of Buxton Estate have renewed calls for accountability and transparency over the controversial Buxton Point redevelopment project, demanding that the Mombasa County Government and the developer make public the joint venture agreement and implement recommendations aimed at securing housing for the displaced residents.

Addressing the press, Haki Yetu Executive Director Peter Kiama accused the county government and the developer of failing to provide clear information and accountability regarding the project, saying former tenants had waited too long for justice.

“We feel this issue is full of opaqueness and scandal. There is no accountability or clarity from the developer and the county government. Justice is long overdue for the former tenants, and both the county  government and the developer should stop the evasive drama,” said Kiama.

He insisted that any agreements relating to the redevelopment must be documented and made available to the public, noting that written commitments were essential in ensuring accountability.

“Our law is very clear. If there is any agreement, let it be on paper. This is what we are also fighting for. The houses were meant for former tenants, so why are some of the completed units now being converted into Airbnbs?” he posed.

Former Buxton tenants' Secretary John Tsuma also called on the county government to release the joint venture agreement between the county and the developer, Gulf Cap, saying the public deserved to know the terms governing the redevelopment project.

Tsuma outlined a series of demands, including the immediate implementation of Senate recommendations proposing the allocation of 522 housing units to former Buxton tenants under a tenant-purchase scheme.

He further demanded that Gulf Cap publish a comprehensive list of beneficiaries who had already received units in the completed development to establish transparency in the allocation process.

“The county government should make the joint venture agreement with the developer available to the public and the media. The county government and the developer should immediately implement the Senate recommendations to allocate 522 units to former Buxton tenants under the tenant-purchase scheme,” said Tsuma.

He also called for the immediate commencement of negotiations involving former tenants, the county government and the national government to establish a framework for allocating houses to the remaining 336 former tenants.

The latest demands come amid renewed tensions surrounding the Buxton Point redevelopment, with former tenants continuing to seek clarity on the allocation of housing units and tthe fulfilment of commitments made during the relocation and redevelopment process.

The former tenants maintain that transparency in the project's agreements, allocation of completed units and implementation of the Senate recommendations remain critical to resolving the longstanding dispute.