Santana affordable housing project to help improve Kisuani security

Idriss Abdirahman, Mohamed Islam, Ahmed Mohamed and Ahmed Badawy at Santanaon Saturday / BRIAN OTIENO

Maj (rtd) Idriss Abdirahman, Megna Homes chairman Mohamed Islam, and CEO Ahmed Badawy [Luminous green shirt] at Santana on Saturday / BRIAN OTIENO

Potential buyers at Santana’s show house on Saturday / BRIAN OTIENO

Phase 1 of Megna Homes’ Santana affordable housing project coming up in Kisauni / BRIAN OTIENO

Kisauni’s security problem will be effectively tackled by initiating high social impact projects in the sub-county and make people believe that dignified living is not a preserve of the rich, a developer has said.

Ahmed Badawy on Saturday said key amenities and services that bring the best out of communities are essential in the development of children and the mental health of their parents.

He said it is time developers of housing units incorporate these services so that those living in Kisauni also enjoy living like those in Nyali suburbs.

“The Santana project comes with a sewer treatment plant, which was not there before. We have upgraded the drainage system and now there is no stagnant water whenever it rains. All these are what makes the difference when it comes to residential areas,” the Megna Homes CEO said.

He spoke during the unveiling of the Santana affordable housing units show house.

“This project is not about houses only. It’s a social impact project. We have put in a lot of amenities and services that could not be found in Kisauni,” Badawy said.

The Santana project, he said, has so far employed over 1,000 people who are working on the construction of the 17 blocks of Phase 1 of the project, which will have 408 units once completed next year.

“Everyone knows the major challenge in Kisauni is security. Now we are changing that because with the jobs created here, there will be less security challenges. In fact, once complete, this project will create employment for over 3,000 youth,” Badawy said.

He said the old Swahili style houses mostly do not incorporate social amenities leaving children’s development negatively affected.

“In Kisuani, many houses have been constructed but unfortunately the developers do not plug in the services apart from electricity,” Badawy said.

Tapped water, proper sewers, green spaces, jogging tracks, swimming pools, children playgrounds, and a social hall are basic amenities which are largely ignored by developers especially in non-suburbs.

“We believe these amenities are not a preserve of the rich. That is why we are bringing them to Kisauni at affordable rates,” he said.

Badawy said once complete, there will be more than 3,000 people living at the Santana estate, which will have a police post.

“The local economy here will be 24-hours meaning that is already security on its own because of the lights and the people who will be up any time of the day,” the CEO said.

The Santana estate will also have security of its own via a privately sources security firm.

Megna Homes chairman Mohamed Islam said changing the way of life in Kisauni will bring the desired effect of reducing insecurity in the sub-county.

He said with the path that they have shown, other developers will take the cue and start developing houses with enough social amenities and services.

“This way, we will all be contributing towards a safer Kisauni and at the same time uplifting the living standards of Kisauni,” Islam said.

He said with such affordable housing projects, Kisauni will be a different place in 10 years.

Phase 1 of Santana will have 17 blocks, three of which will have one-bedroom units, seven blocks will have two-bedroom units and another seven will have three-bedroom units.

Each block will have 24 units.

Phase 2 will also 17 blocks with 408 units.

Every unit will have its own assigned parking unit.

A one-bedroom unit goes for Sh3 million but they have all been sold out.

A two bedroom unit goes for Sh4 million while a three-bedroom units goes for Sh5.4 million, but with cash offers.

Mombasa Walk Movement founder Maj (rtd) Idriss Abdirahman said taking care of the security of the area will open it up for investment.

“The project will be a game changer for Kisuani because the economy of the area will be totally different, which will help improve the security,” Abdirahman said.

The project is the first one in Mombasa to get Edge certification, a prestigious global certification that certifies building that are energy efficient.

“Our buildings will utilize natural light and natural air without needing to use a lot of power,” Badawy said.

 INSTANT ANALYSIS:

EDGE certification, or Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, is a green building certification system that verifies resource efficiency in buildings. It requires a minimum 20 per cent reduction in energy, water, and embodied energy in materials compared to a standard local building. Created by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), it is a tool that helps developers identify the most cost-effective strategies for achieving sustainability goals, making it faster and more affordable to build green.