President William Ruto has taken a significant step towards resolving long-standing land and squatter issues in the Coast region by issuing over 94,000 title deeds in Kwale County. The President handed over more than 26,000 of the vital ownership documents to beneficiaries at Kibaoni in Lunga Lunga Constituency. This move is part of a broader effort to provide secure land ownership to residents.
The title deeds were issued to residents of Lunga Lunga, Mwereni, Kanana, Mkono wa Ndugu, Gombato, and Anzwani ranches. According to President Ruto, the 94,175 land documents are part of a larger programme aimed at issuing 300,000 title deeds during his current tour of the Coast region, which began on Saturday. The President emphasized that the Government aims to issue 500,000 title deeds to beneficiaries across the region by the end of the year.
President Ruto stated that the Government had invested KSh10 billion to purchase land from absentee landlords and settle thousands of Kenyans who had occupied the land for decades without valid ownership documents. He assured beneficiaries that the adjudication of additional land to benefit Coast residents was ongoing and that the process would continue until the squatter problem is eliminated.
During the ceremony, President Ruto cautioned Kenyans against unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit the titling process. He emphasized that the Government of Kenya had paid for the title deeds and warned beneficiaries not to be deceived or coerced by anyone into parting with money to get their title deeds. The President also launched the construction of the KSh2.4 billion Maungu-Kasighau and the KSh1.5 billion Voi-Sagala roads in Voi Constituency, Taita-Taveta County.
In addition to the road construction, President Ruto inspected the progress of the Maungu Modern Market, the 10,000-seater Vindo Stadium, and the Voi Affordable Housing project. He emphasized that all regions in the country would benefit from equitable development under his administration, stating that whatever development is taking place in other parts of the country, it would also be implemented at the Coast.
President Ruto also addressed concerns about some political leaders using young leaders to oppose government programmes, including affordable housing, universal healthcare, and the new university funding model. He stated that it was wrong for some leaders to oppose these programmes simply because they had been unable to implement them during their time in office.
The event was attended by Governors Fatuma Achani of Kwale and Andrew Mwadime of Taita-Taveta, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Principal Secretaries, MPs, and MCAs, among others. The President's efforts to address land and squatter challenges in the Coast region have been seen as a significant step towards promoting development and stability in the area.
Key points
- President Ruto issues over 94,000 title deeds in Kwale County to address land and squatter challenges.
- The Government aims to issue 500,000 title deeds to beneficiaries across the Coast region by the end of the year.
- President Ruto invests KSh10 billion to purchase land from absentee landlords and settle thousands of Kenyans.
