Santana housing project to revamp Kisauni

Mention Kisauni and the first thing that comes to mind is panga-wielding criminal gangs, blood-letting and slum-like villages that provide perfect cover for juvenile criminals.

This is mostly because of the population increase in the area with little commensurate housing increase.

Kisauni is the most populous subcounty in Mombasa county and receives the bulk of the population pressure occasioned by the rural-urban migration.

But a real estate company wants to change that.

Megna Homes is working on an 816-unit housing project that will change the landscape of the subcounty, and perhaps the image of the neighbourhood.

Dubbed ‘Santana’, the housing project—set to be launched later this month—will be the first modern gated community in Kisauni.

Currently, bush clearing on the 12-acres of land on which the project will sit, is ongoing.

Already, the Kwa Sonko neighbourhood where the project is located, has started benefiting.

Street lights have been put up along the 400-metre road that separates the project into two equal portions.

“At least now we can pass here without fear because it was very dark and these boys (panga-wielding juveniles) used to take advantage of the cover of darkness to attack us and our passengers,” Samuel Okindo, a boda boda rider said.

At the Kwa Sonko stage along the Old Malindi Road, a security light has been installed.

 Megna Homes CEO Ahmed Badawy said the flagship project will feature modern amenities such as an olympic-sized swimming pool, modern multi-purpose community centre, children’s playground, a football pitch, jogging tracks, green spaces, food courts, parking spaces and a police post.

“There will be one, two and three-bedroom units measuring 430, 645 and 830 square feet respectively,” Badawy said.

There will also be commercial spaces.

Badawy said the project will revitalise Kisauni, which he said has a lot of potential but remains largely ignored, perhaps due to its reputation.

“For years, Kisauni has grappled with significant challenges including insecurity, drug-related issues, and high unemployment rates. This makes investors shy away,” Badawy said.

The project will also help ease the housing deficit that burdens the county.

The county government has indicated a housing deficit of 21,000 units a year with an annual demand for housing units standing at 25,000 units against a supply of 4,000 units.

The county has plans to build 32,000 units in the next two years, through the Urban Renewal and Regeneration project, leaving a big shortage in housing supply.

Badawy said he has been thinking of Kisauni for a long time, mulling over such a project, until recently when he took the bold step to ensure something positive comes out of Kisauni.

“Someone had to try and show there is more to Kisauni than the stories people hear and watch on the news,” he said.

The swimming pool will be the first in Kisauni.

“There was one at Turkey Base in Kiembeni but the owner had to shut it down,” Badawy said.

The project, which will take two years to complete, will have 816 families living in the homes.

“We are aiming to contribute positively to the area's development and provide a new standard of living for the residents. The project will promote community living and sustainability through its features and design,” Badawy said.

For two years, about 2,000 youth in Kisauni will have jobs directly at the project and many more will get employment indirectly, fostering a sense of economic empowerment and stability.

The Megna Homes CEO said the project will also tackle issues of security head-on by not only providing secure housing but also by establishing a dedicated police post within the community.

“We will have a dedicated police station as part of the project. This proactive measure is expected to enhance security significantly, offering residents a safer environment to live and thrive,” he said.

Furthermore, Badawy said, the project will incorporate infrastructural enhancements such as improved roads and drainage systems.

In a region prone to flooding during rainy seasons, these upgrades are crucial for mitigating the impact of natural disasters and improving overall infrastructure resilience.

“By boosting local employment, enhancing infrastructure, and providing modern amenities, the project aims to stimulate economic growth and attract further investments into the area,” he said. 

This, in turn, is expected to create a ripple effect of prosperity, benefiting businesses, residents, and the local economy as a whole.