Chaani Ward, Changamwe Constituency: A Comprehensive Profile.

Chaani Ward stands as one of the five administrative divisions within Changamwe Constituency in Mombasa County, Kenya. This densely populated urban area faces unique challenges and opportunities shaped by its strategic location, historical housing initiatives, and ongoing infrastructure developments. This report explores the geographic, demographic, economic, and social aspects of Chaani Ward, with particular focus on property markets and recent developments.

Locations > Mombasa > Changamwe > Chaani Ward

No properties found in this location.

Geographic and Administrative Context.

Chaani Ward is situated within Changamwe Constituency in Mombasa County, Kenya. It comprises part of Chaani sub-location and is one of five wards in the constituency, alongside Airport, Kipevu, Changamwe, and Port Reitz wards. With an area of approximately 2.10 square kilometers, Chaani Ward is relatively compact but densely populated.

Changamwe Constituency occupies a strategically significant position within Mombasa County, housing vital national infrastructure including the Moi International Airport and portions of the Port of Mombasa. These facilities are crucial to Kenya’s economy and international trade connections. Historically, Changamwe was one of the original constituencies in Mombasa district before the 2010 constitutional changes that created additional constituencies such as Jomvu and Nyali.

The current Member of Parliament for Changamwe is Hon. Omar Mwinyi Shimbwa, who has been vocal about protecting constituents’ interests, particularly regarding land issues and housing rights.

Demographics and Population.

According to available data, Chaani Ward has a population of approximately 29,138 residents. With its limited area of 2.10 square kilometers, the ward has a population density of approximately 13,875 people per square kilometer, making it one of the more densely populated areas in Changamwe Constituency. The ward is designated as County Assembly Ward No. 0005 in administrative classifications.

By comparison, the neighboring Kipevu Ward has a similar population of approximately 29,100 residents within the same area (2.10 square kilometers). The broader Changamwe Constituency had a total population of 131,882 people according to the 2019 census, indicating that Chaani Ward constitutes roughly 22% of the constituency’s population.

Housing and Land Market: Historical Housing Programs.

Chaani has been the site of significant housing development initiatives, most notably a low-income housing program implemented by the government through the municipal council of Mombasa. This program allocated Ksh 15 million for serviced sites and upgrading components, with 200 plots earmarked for upgrading and 1,300 for serviced sites.

However, this housing initiative faced substantial challenges. The program’s design required households to demonstrate savings and meet certain financial conditions to qualify for building materials loans ranging between Ksh 3,000-10,000. Unfortunately, these requirements proved too demanding for many low-income residents who lacked regular employment and relied on casual labor, fishing, or petty trading.

The program ultimately failed to adequately serve its intended beneficiaries. Large sums were spent on elaborate infrastructure including tarmac roads, surface water drains, sewer trunks, and electricity supply lines, but most residents could not afford the connection charges. This led to a situation where plots were transferred from low-income residents to higher-income groups, fundamentally changing the settlement’s economic composition.

Properties for Sale in Chaani Ward, Changamwe: Current Property Market.

While specific property prices for Chaani Ward are not comprehensively documented in the available search results, the broader Changamwe area shows varying property values that provide context for understanding the local real estate market:

A 4-bedroom house in Bahari Estate, Kipevu is listed for KSh 28,000,000.
A block of flats (4 bedrooms) in Miritini, Changamwe is listed for KSh 8,000,000
A 1-bedroom block of flats in Miritini, Changamwe is listed for KSh 35,000,000
A property in Khamisi Estate, near Changamwe Police Station is priced at KSh 6,500,000.

Land prices in Changamwe also vary significantly based on location and intended use:

A commercial plot (3/4 plot) in Changamwe is listed for KSh 65,000,000
Commercial land (2.38 acres) in Magongo area is priced at KSh 170,000,000

For context, in nearby areas of Mombasa County, such as Kitengela, 1/8 acre plots range from KSh 1.5M to KSh 3.5M, while in Ngong, 1/4 acre plots range from KSh 5M to KSh 8M9. However, these areas are likely to have different market dynamics compared to urban Changamwe.

Recent Infrastructure Development: Proposed LPG Terminal.

A significant infrastructure development affecting Chaani is the proposed construction of a 15,000 metric ton common-user Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal by Focus Container Freight Station. This project represents a scaled-down version of an earlier proposal for a 30,000 metric ton facility that was rejected in 2019 after residents took legal action over safety concerns.

The revised proposal addresses previous concerns by positioning the facility 208 meters away from residential areas adjacent to the Port of Mombasa. During a public participation forum, Company Chairman Faisal Abbas assured residents that there would be no evictions or displacements associated with the project. The company has committed to establishing adequate firefighting systems and emergency response mechanisms to ensure safety.

The project promises economic benefits for local residents, with the company pledging to prioritize job opportunities for youth from Changamwe, including Chaani Ward. This development, if implemented with proper safety measures and community involvement, could enhance economic activity in the area while addressing energy needs.

NG-CDF Development Initiatives.

The National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has implemented various development projects throughout Changamwe Constituency, including initiatives that benefit Chaani Ward. These projects focus on several key areas:

Education: A significant portion of NG-CDF allocation goes toward enhancing both primary and secondary school infrastructure and providing bursaries for students. This includes classroom construction and renovation, building administration blocks and laboratories, and improving school security through perimeter walls.
Water and Sanitation: Projects include expanding access to clean water and improving sanitation facilities in schools and public spaces. Water harvesting initiatives, such as rainwater collection systems in schools, are also being implemented.
Security Infrastructure: Construction and improvement of police stations, chiefs’ offices, and other security installations to ensure safety for residents.
Environmental Sustainability: Initiatives include garbage and water disposal sensitization programs, tree planting efforts to combat climate change, and construction of improved sanitation facilities in schools.

Current Challenges and Issues: Threatened Evictions.

A pressing issue currently facing residents in Chaani and neighboring wards is the imminent eviction of over 400 households from Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) land. Residents of Changamwe, Portreitz, Chaani, and Airport wards have been living on this disputed land, many unaware of the safety risks posed by aging and corroding petroleum pipelines beneath their homes.

The eviction is part of KPC’s nationwide initiative to clear petroleum pipeline wayleaves to prevent potential explosions and enhance safety. However, Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi has vowed to resist these evictions, accusing authorities of sidelining local leaders and using intimidation tactics. He has specifically cited the deployment of “a contingent of 100 to 200 police officers to instill fear in our constituents” and noted that “tenants are being threatened with eviction”.

The situation has created significant tension and uncertainty, with some residents voluntarily demolishing their homes while others await further developments. The MP has also raised concerns about alleged land grabbing attempts involving “an influential MP from Uasin Gishu” who is allegedly facilitating the acquisition of government parcels in Changamwe that were previously designated for affordable housing projects.

Socioeconomic Vulnerabilities.

Historical evidence suggests that Chaani faces significant socioeconomic challenges. Many residents lack regular employment and survive on casual jobs, fishing, and small-scale trade activities. The failure of the low-income housing program highlighted these economic vulnerabilities and inadvertently contributed to displacement.

After selling their plots due to inability to develop them according to required standards, many low-income residents moved to an area locally known as “maboromokoni” (shanties), either as tenants or squatters if they could find space to erect temporary structures. These alternative accommodations were often crowded and structurally unsound, built hastily with poor-quality materials due to resource constraints.

Conclusion

Chaani Ward epitomizes both the challenges and opportunities of urban development in Kenya’s coastal region. Its strategic location within Changamwe Constituency, proximity to vital national infrastructure, and dense population create conditions for potential economic growth. However, historical housing intervention failures, current eviction threats, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities present significant challenges to sustainable development.

The proposed LPG terminal represents a potential economic opportunity if implemented with proper safety measures and genuine community involvement. Meanwhile, ongoing NG-CDF initiatives in education, water, security, and environmental sustainability aim to improve living conditions across the constituency, including in Chaani.

The future development trajectory of Chaani Ward will depend largely on how effectively these challenges are addressed, particularly through balancing infrastructure development with social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity for all residents. As the ward continues to evolve, addressing housing affordability, land rights, and economic inequality will be crucial to ensuring that development benefits all residents, not just those with greater financial resources.

1. What are the current house prices in Kamakwa/Mukaro Ward?

2. How do land prices in Airport Ward compare to other wards in Changamwe?

3. What recent infrastructure developments have taken place in Kipevu Ward?

4. Are there any upcoming projects planned for Miritini Ward?

5. How has the population growth in Port Reitz Ward affected real estate prices?