WATAMU, Kenya — Residents of Watamu in Kilifi County have strongly opposed a proposed affordable housing project slated for development at Watamu Public Park, warning that the plan threatens one of the town’s last remaining green spaces and could undermine its tourism-dependent economy.
The objections were raised on Saturday during a public engagement forum on the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, where residents said they were initially supportive of the initiative until it emerged that the project site would be a forested section of the public park.
Locals described the park as environmentally and socially significant, noting that it serves as a communal space and a key ecological buffer in the coastal resort town.
“I was very happy that the government wanted to build affordable houses for us,” said one resident who attended the meeting. “But this area is full of trees. It is the only place left in Watamu with such greenery. It provides shade, parking for taxis, and a place for everyone to relax.”
Watamu Public Park is known for its decades-old Neem trees, which form a natural canopy and are regarded by conservationists as critical to the town’s microclimate.
Environmental advocates warned that replacing the park with high-rise housing blocks would result in irreversible ecological damage.
“This is not just open land; it is a living ecosystem,” one conservationist said, cautioning that the loss of tree cover could worsen heat, reduce biodiversity and erode the town’s appeal as an eco-tourism destination.
Long-term investors and business owners in Watamu also expressed concern, arguing that the park plays a central role in shaping visitors’ first impressions of the resort town.
“I am an investor in Watamu and have operated my businesses here for the last 35 years,” said one prominent investor. “It brings me great sorrow to see what is being planned right in front of the focal point where tourists first arrive.”
He warned that replacing the green space with housing blocks would damage the town’s image. “They are expecting a lovely beach holiday, with lovely people, and all they are going to see is a block of ugly-looking flats. What a shame. Those trees are a point of natural beauty,” he said.
Tourism is a major economic driver in Watamu, supporting hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and informal workers. Residents fear that altering the town’s landscape could lead to reduced visitor numbers and job losses.
Community members have urged the government to identify alternative parcels of land within Kilifi County that do not involve the conversion of public parks. While reiterating their support for affordable housing, they insisted that development should not come at the expense of environmental conservation and public amenities.
“We are not rejecting housing,” said one resident leader. “We are saying it must be done responsibly and in the right place.”
The protests come as the government continues to roll out reforms aimed at expanding access to homeownership under the Affordable Housing Programme. Recently, the State scrapped the mandatory deposit requirement for applicants earning Sh20,000 or less per month.
Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the waiver was designed to remove a major barrier for low-income earners who can afford monthly instalments but struggle to raise lump-sum deposits.
“Remember, there is a 5pc deposit for everybody else,” Hinga said during a Citizen TV interview. “We have determined that the deposit is a big barrier, especially for people in the lower echelons and lower income. Therefore, if you earn Sh20,000 and below, whether formal or informal, there will be no deposit.”
Under the revised framework, eligible applicants in both formal and informal employment will be able to apply for houses without any upfront payment.
However, the Watamu controversy underscores growing tensions between the government’s housing ambitions and local environmental concerns, particularly in ecologically sensitive and tourism-dependent regions.
As consultations continue, residents say they expect their objections to be formally considered before any final decision is made on the project’s location.
