Police discharged warning shots into the air on Tuesday, November 11, after a confrontation between construction workers and former tenants and county officials at the Buxton Point affordable‑housing project in Tononoka, Mombasa.

The clash was triggered by the arrival of Mombasa County Lands and Housing CECM Mohamed Hussein, who came to enforce a directive suspending construction pending resolution of disputes over tenant resettlement and the developer’s obligations to the county.

Workers opposed to the shutdown hurled stones and brandished wooden bars at county officials, accusing the government of threatening their livelihoods by halting the project.

The Tononoka Police Station OCS attempted to calm the labourers, but workers insisted grievances should be addressed to project management rather than through a site closure.

Hussein said he would not back down, alleging the developer had deployed individuals in reflective jackets posing as construction workers to block county officers.

According to Hussein, more than 400 former tenants have not been resettled and over 180 housing units earmarked for the county’s share remain undelivered.

He also claimed the developer failed to provide a promised Early Childhood Development Education facility and a community centre to the county.

Former tenants’ secretary, Tsuma, backed the suspension, stating that beneficiaries had signed agreements with the developer but received nothing in return.

The Buxton Point project is a public‑private partnership between Mombasa County and investors led by businessman Suleiman Shahbal, intended to deliver about 1,850 affordable units plus commercial and community facilities.

Hussein affirmed that the suspension will remain until the developer fulfills all outstanding commitments to the county and the former tenants who originally occupied the land.