President William Ruto and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir have pledged to end the long-standing land ownership crisis at the Coast following the issuance of more than 33,000 title deeds to residents in Mombasa County.
Speaking during the title deed issuance ceremony held at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mvita, President Ruto said the government was implementing a permanent solution to historical land injustices that have left thousands of Coast families living as squatters for decades.
“We are delivering a lasting solution to the long-standing challenge of land ownership across many parts of the country, and especially in the Coast region,” Ruto said.
Government Targets Historical Land Injustices
The President said the government had intensified efforts to resolve land ownership disputes nationwide through accelerated issuance of title deeds.
“Over the past three years, we have issued 1.5 million title deeds nationwide. At the Coast alone, we have issued 381,000 title deeds to address historical land ownership challenges,” he stated.
According to Ruto, the latest exercise in Mombasa is part of a broader programme targeting more than one million residents across the Coast region.
“At Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa County, we issued more than 33,000 title deeds to Coast residents,” he said.
“We are now processing an additional 200,000 title deeds in different parts of the Coast, which will be delivered within the next 90 days, benefiting more than one million residents.”
The President said the programme aims to guarantee security of land ownership while ending decades of dependency on absentee landlords.
“Our goal is to ensure that residents are no longer squatters, but legitimate landowners with a place they can proudly call home,” Ruto said.
“We are ending years of suffering and freeing them from the mercy of absentee landlords. The Coast land question now has an answer.”
Nassir Welcomes Progress on Land Reforms
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir described the latest issuance of title deeds as a historic moment for families who have waited generations to legally own the land they occupy.
“The squatter problem at the Coast has existed since independence. For over 60 years, generations of families have lived without the dignity and security that comes with owning the land they call home,” Nassir said.
He praised the current administration for taking what he termed decisive action toward solving the crisis.
“We have had four Presidents, but for the first time, we are seeing decisive action towards a lasting solution instead of endless politics,” he added.
Nassir also linked the progress to the long-standing advocacy by ODM leader Raila Odinga on land justice issues affecting Coast residents.
“This is a matter that was deeply close to the heart of our late Founding Party Leader Raila Odinga, CGH, and I am pleased that H.E. the President has chosen to move this agenda forward in a meaningful way,” he said.
County Government Backs Land Ownership Programme
The governor said Mombasa County had partnered with the County Assembly to establish the Ardhi Fund, a framework intended to support affordable access to title deeds for ordinary residents.
“As a County Government, we played our part by working with the County Assembly to establish the Ardhi Fund — a framework specifically designed to work hand in hand with the National Government programme so that ordinary wananchi can finally acquire title deeds affordably and with dignity,” Nassir stated.
He added that more settlement schemes across Mombasa would be targeted in the next phase of the programme, including Kwa Bullo in Nyali, Ugatuzi and Mjambere in Kisauni, Mwanaguvunze in Likoni, and Kwa Punda and Vikobani in Jomvu.
Kindiki Highlights Coast Development Projects
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who joined President Ruto during development engagements in the Coast region, said the government was also investing heavily in electricity connectivity and market infrastructure to improve livelihoods.
Speaking during the launch of the last mile electricity connectivity programme in Kinango Constituency, Kwale County, Kindiki said 53,000 households across the six Coast counties were currently being connected to electricity under a Sh6.1 billion programme.
“Under the ongoing nationwide last mile electricity supply programme, 53,000 households across the six Coast region counties are currently being connected with power at a cost of Sh6.1 billion,” Kindiki said.
He noted that Kinango Constituency alone had received Sh785 million to connect an additional 6,100 households to electricity.
“As part of this initiative, Kinango Constituency in Kwale County has received Sh785 million to connect an additional 6,100 households,” he stated.
The Deputy President also announced the construction of a modern fresh produce market in Kinango aimed at improving working conditions for small-scale traders.
“The programme for building state-of-the-art fresh produce markets across the country is giving Kinango Constituency a new fresh produce market to give more dignity to small-scale traders who have been selling their wares in the hot sun or in muddy environments during the rainy season,” Kindiki said.
Focus on Dignity and Economic Inclusion
Nassir said recent government decisions, including restoration of port services to Mombasa, liberalization of ID issuance, and support for victims of extrajudicial excesses, demonstrated growing attention to issues affecting Coast residents.
“The people of Mombasa support leadership that listens and acts,” the governor said.
He further expressed optimism over ongoing political engagements between ODM and UDA leaders, saying development, inclusion, and economic justice should remain central to national politics.
“Development, dignity, inclusion and economic justice must remain at the center of our politics,” Nassir added.
