The Kenyan government has announced plans to issue 200,000 title deeds to residents in the coastal region, a move aimed at resolving longstanding land disputes. The initiative is part of a broader program targeting over 300,000 ownership documents for beneficiaries across five coastal counties by December. The program covers Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu counties.
Lands Principal Secretary Nickson Korir made the announcement during a joint Parliamentary Committee retreat in Mombasa County. He stated that the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development is finalizing pending settlement schemes and negotiating with private landowners. This will enable residents who have occupied land for years to obtain formal ownership documents.
The government’s approach seeks to protect the rights of registered landowners while providing tenure security to long-term occupants through negotiated settlements. Korir identified areas such as Gombato and Diani in Kwale County, where residents have lived for decades without formal ownership documents. The government is engaging private title holders, whose land is occupied by informal settlers, with compensation forming part of efforts to resolve disputes.
Korir dismissed claims that some government-issued title deeds were fake, stating that documents processed under settlement programs undergo legal verification. He emphasized that the government will continue protecting legitimate landowners while addressing historical grievances affecting residents who have occupied land without formal documentation.
National Assembly Lands Committee Chairperson Joash Nyamache said Parliament is working with the Executive to address petitions involving disputed farms and other land grievances. The parliamentary retreat provided an opportunity for lawmakers to receive responses from the Ministry of Lands on pending petitions and facilitate faster action on the cases.
Nyamache stated that the parliamentary committee is working with the executive branch to process public petitions speedily. The goal is to ensure every disputed farm receives a fair review, enabling Parliament to deliver lasting solutions. The committee’s efforts aim to address historical land disputes that have left thousands of residents without formal title deeds.
The government’s initiative is expected to bring relief to residents who have been affected by land disputes for years. With the Head of State set to issue the initial batch of title deeds during his forthcoming week-long tour of the region, residents are hopeful that the program will bring an end to the longstanding land disputes in the coastal region.
Key points
- The Kenyan government plans to issue 200,000 title deeds in the coastal region to resolve land disputes.
- The program aims to provide over 300,000 ownership documents for beneficiaries across five coastal counties by December.
- The government’s approach seeks to protect the rights of registered landowners while providing tenure security to long-term occupants through negotiated settlements.
