Affordable housing: State to build 4,900 units in Nairobi's Mowlem estate

Nairobi is once again set to benefit from President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four Agenda following the government's plan to construct 4,900 units in the Mowlem estate.

The project which will be the first-ever Transit-Oriented Development ( TOD) Housing Programme in Kenya will cost Sh18 billion.

While signing the MoU today, Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Charles Hinga disclosed that the Mowlem Development will consist of 4900 units which will be done in three phases.

Phase One will include 1200 units, 2000 for phase two and the balance of 1700 units will be done in phase three.

“This great development is of great interest for us because it will be the first of what we call the Transit-Oriented Development ( TOD) in Kenya, he said.

The development is in Embakasi West's Mowlem ward that neighbours Dandora Station which is one of the stations built by the government in partnership with Kenya Railways for the Nairobi commuter rail.

Studio units will be 880 in total costing Sh1.8 million, while one bedroom with 660 units will be going for Sh3 million.

Two-bedroom, which will have  1680 units, will be sold for Sh3.7 million and three-bedroom with 1680 units will be sold for Sh5.4 million.

The government is targeting to do a groundbreaking of the project at the end of the first quarter of the year in April.

Going further, Hinga noted that the location of the houses was strategic that Kenyans can be exposed not only to affordable houses but also have access to rail transport which is of low cost and convenient.

“The location is strategic for all residents and that means the transport is sorted. One can hope in a train, go do errands or report to work using the train,” he said.

Seascan development limited, who are the developers, noted that the design of the Mowlem project will be friendly to the buyers.

“As Seascan , we focus on Affordable housing and specifically with this Mowlem project. Our designs for the AHP in a manner that Kenyans can be able to live, work and play within the city,” said Fidel Gondi, the Director.

Apart from the houseS, Gondi also said they will set up social amenities for comfortability within the compound

'Being a Transit-Oriented Development, that allows citizens to be able to have houses and commute to CBD and other areas, We will also provide social amenities within the compound that will allow people to live comfortably and still be able to enjoy with their families,” he stated.

Some of the social amenities will include Internal roads and surface water drainage, Gatehouses, recreational and social, commercial and educational facilities.

There will also be Greenary and landscaping, security and street lighting and also tenants will have access to fibre infrastructure.

Contractor Jia Yangping noted they are ready to commence with constructions once the papers works are done.

PS Hinga assured the developer of the full support of the Government to ensure that the project becomes successful with a ready market.

“As the State department we have given assurance to the developer that they will get the full support of the government,” he stated.

“We encourage the developer that buyers will not be a problem because there are more than enough numbers. If we put out a high-quality product and improve the others that have already been bought, I believe that in the coming months we shall be having a groundbreaking ceremony,” Hinga added.