President William Ruto is set to begin a development tour of the Coast region on Saturday, visiting six counties to assess government project progress and engage with residents. The tour will cover Taita-Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Tana River, and Lamu counties. During the tour, President Ruto will issue nearly 200,000 title deeds to residents across the region. This move is part of the government's plan to distribute 500,000 land ownership documents to address longstanding land challenges.
The issuance of title deeds will start in Taita-Taveta County, where 31,318 title deeds will be issued to residents of Mwatate and Voi constituencies. In Kwale County, 94,175 title deeds will be issued to beneficiaries in Lunga Lunga, Msambweni, and Kinango constituencies. President Ruto will then proceed to Kilifi County to issue 36,826 title deeds to residents of Kaloleni, Rabai, Ganze, Kilifi South, and Malindi constituencies. Additionally, 4,360 title deeds will be distributed in Mombasa County.
The title deeds are expected to provide formal ownership and enable beneficiaries to make greater use of their land for economic development activities. For many beneficiaries, the title deeds will provide greater certainty over land ownership after years of waiting for formal documentation. The programme is part of President Ruto's administration's broader efforts to resolve historical and administrative land challenges in the Coast region.
During the working tour, President Ruto will also commission completed development projects, inspect ongoing ones, and launch new projects in the six counties. The President will break ground for the $16 billion East Africa Refinery in Lamu, a project to be jointly undertaken by the Kenyan Government and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote. The refinery is expected to process crude from Lokichar, Turkana County, and supply refined petroleum products to markets across East and Central Africa.
The East Africa Refinery is expected to enhance Kenya's energy security by ensuring a reliable supply of petroleum products while creating more than 500,000 jobs. The project is a significant investment in the region and is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy. President Ruto's tour will also provide an opportunity for him to engage with residents and local leaders on development priorities.
The government's efforts to address land challenges in the Coast region are ongoing, with the aim of distributing 500,000 land ownership documents. The title deeds will not only provide formal ownership but also enable beneficiaries to access credit and other financial services. The programme is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of residents in the Coast region.
President Ruto's development tour of the Coast region is set to conclude after visiting all six counties. The tour will have provided the President with an opportunity to assess government project progress, engage with residents, and launch new projects. The issuance of title deeds and the launch of the East Africa Refinery are significant milestones in the region's development.
Key points
- President Ruto to issue nearly 200,000 title deeds across the Coast region
- President Ruto to break ground for the $16 billion East Africa Refinery in Lamu
- The East Africa Refinery is expected to create more than 500,000 jobs
