Former Buxton tenants hold talks with Shahbal over new purchase scheme

The meeting sought an agreement on how the tenants would acquire housing units under the Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS).

Speaking on Monday former tenants committee chairman Mohammed Mzee said the community had endured years of uncertainty and frustration since vacating the old estate.

The development comes after years of uncertainty and frustration among the former residents, many of whom say they have spent six years seeking a solution without success.

“We have lost six years. After putting in so much effort, we did not receive the help we needed from all the leaders. We requested for a meeting with the leadership of Buxton and they agreed to meet us and now we can finally say we have a way forward,” said Mohammed. 

The former tenants expressed disappointment with political leaders whom they accused of taking advantage of their situation for personal and political interests without offering tangible solutions.

The tenants said they had now resolved to directly engage the leadership of GCRE led by the company’s chairman Suleiman Shahbal in pursuit of a lasting solution.

On Saturday, over 200 former tenants met at ACK Hall where Shahbal informed them that efforts had been ongoing to push for the Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS), a move aimed at enabling the former tenants to acquire the houses through an affordable payment plan.

“We wrote letters, I followed up with both PS Hinga and President William Ruto and they have promised to actualize this dream,” he said.

On Monday, members of the tenants’ committee were taken on a site visit where they were shown the exact location where the new housing blocks will be constructed.

According to assurances issued by GCRE, the former tenants will receive units under favourable monthly rates of Ksh.3,800, Ksh.5,200 and Ksh 6,500 for the one, two and three-bedroom units respectively.

“Were it not for all the court cases and political fights, we would have solved this issue way back. Let us now focus on the future and assure that this thing is done,” said Mr Shahbal.

The tenants welcomed the development and appealed to the Affordable Housing Board to support the implementation of the TPS framework to ensure the former Buxton residents finally become homeowners.

“We are hopeful that we will get the units through TPS and we urge the Affordable Housing Board to help make this dream a reality,” said the tenants deputy secretary general, John Tsuma.

GCRE CEO Chris Ochieng indicated that the housing units are expected to be delivered within 18 months once the process is finalized.