Kenyan President William Ruto has concluded an eight-day tour of the Coast region, promising to address land ownership disputes and warning speculators against hoarding land. The tour, which ended in Lamu, saw Ruto distribute over 6,000 land titles to residents of Kwale County, reassuring them that his administration is committed to resolving historical land injustices. He emphasized that his government will not allow speculators to hinder efforts to provide land to those who need it.
The distribution of land titles was a major highlight of Ruto's tour, with Kwale County receiving 94,175 titles, Kilifi 36,826, and Taita Taveta 31,318. However, Mombasa County, which has been plagued by land disputes, received only 4,360 titles, sparking concerns about the pace of resolving land conflicts in the area. Ruto warned land speculators that his government will not tolerate them blocking efforts to provide land to those who have been historically marginalized.
During a rally in Mombasa, Ruto assured residents that his government will not allow thousands of people to be evicted from their homes, where they have lived for years. He emphasized that his administration is committed to finding a solution to the land disputes that have plagued the Coast region for decades. The President also announced plans to build 3,000 affordable housing units for workers at the Dangote oil refinery in Lamu, which is expected to transform the local economy.
The Dangote oil refinery, which is being built at a cost of Sh2 trillion, is expected to create thousands of jobs and boost the local economy. Ruto announced that his government has set aside Sh7.5 billion to build affordable housing for workers at the refinery. He emphasized that his administration is committed to ensuring that workers have access to decent housing and a safe working environment.
Local leaders, including Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and Mining and Blue Economy Minister Ali Hassan Joho, welcomed the President's announcements, saying they will help to transform the economy of the Coast region. Joho said the Dangote oil refinery has the potential to revolutionize the local economy, which has been lagging behind for years. Timamy assured residents that those who will be affected by the refinery project will be compensated.
Landowners in some areas of Mombasa, including Zum Zum, Katani, Kwa Bulo, and Aldina, have been disputing land ownership for years, with some cases pending in court. Ruto's government has promised to find a solution to these disputes, but progress has been slow. The President's tour of the Coast region was aimed at addressing some of these issues and reassuring residents that his government is committed to finding a solution.
The distribution of land titles is expected to provide security of tenure to thousands of residents who have been living on disputed land for years. Landowners who have been hoarding land have been warned that the government will take action against them. The President's tour of the Coast region has been seen as a move to address some of the historical injustices in the region and provide a boost to the local economy.
Key points
- President Ruto warns land speculators against hoarding land in the Coast region.
- The Kenyan government has distributed over 6,000 land titles to residents of Kwale County.
- The Dangote oil refinery is expected to create thousands of jobs and boost the local economy in Lamu.
