President William Ruto has begun an eight-day development tour of Kenya's Coast region, focusing on infrastructure, affordable housing, education, land reforms, energy, and water projects. The tour, which started on September 26, will take Ruto through all six coastal counties, including Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Mombasa, and Tana River. During the tour, Ruto is expected to unveil a multibillion-shilling investment drive aimed at accelerating development projects and addressing historical land ownership challenges affecting coastal communities.
On the first day of the tour, Ruto visited Taita Taveta, where he inspected and launched education, housing, and road projects. He laid the foundation stone for new student hostels at Wumingu Technical and Vocational College in Wundanyi and inspected the Mto Mwagodi-Wundanyi Road project. Ruto also launched an Affordable Housing Programme project and an Economic Stimulus Programme market in Wundanyi town. In Taveta, he inspected the Cess-Lake Jipe Road, commissioned Lesisia School, and assessed progress on the Taveta Affordable Housing Programme.
A major focus of the tour is the issuance of nearly 200,000 title deeds to residents across the coastal counties. The exercise is part of the national government's plan to issue 500,000 title deeds countrywide. Taita Taveta residents in Mwatate and Voi constituencies are set to receive 31,318 title deeds, while Kwale has the largest allocation at 94,175. Kilifi will get 36,826, Mombasa 4,360, and Lamu and Tana River will receive a combined 22,770. The government says the documents will enable beneficiaries to formally own their land, invest in development, access financing, and address uncertainty over land tenure.
On September 27, thousands of residents in Kwale are expected to receive title deeds at Kibaoni in Lunga Lunga constituency. Ruto will also return briefly to Taita Taveta for the groundbreaking of the Voi-Sagala Road, inspection of Voi Stadium, and the launch of the Maungu-Kasighau Road. The President will also launch road projects, commission the Watamu Economic Stimulus Programme Market and Chonyi subcounty administration headquarters, and launch construction of the Mazeras Economic Stimulus Programme Market.
The biggest investment announcement of the tour is scheduled for September 28 in Lamu, where Ruto will preside over the groundbreaking of the proposed East African Oil Refinery at Lamu Port. The refinery, valued at $16 billion, is expected to be developed jointly by the Kenyan government and Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote. The proposed facility will process crude oil from Turkana's Lokichar oil fields and supply refined petroleum products to markets across East and Central Africa.
In Mombasa, Ruto will focus on housing, transport infrastructure, and land ownership. He will lay the foundation stone for student hostels at Shanzu Technical Training College, launch the Hobley Road Affordable Housing Estate, and inspect the Likoni Ferry passenger terminal. On September 30, he is expected to issue 4,300 title deeds to beneficiaries from several settlements in Mombasa.
The tour will conclude in Lamu and Tana River, where 7,026 title deeds will be issued before Ruto launches construction of the Nanighi Solar Generation Plant in Bura constituency. The project is expected to boost renewable energy production, expand electricity access, and support economic activity in Tana River. The government says the project will strengthen Kenya's energy security, expand industrial activity around Lamu Port, and create more than 500,000 jobs once fully operational.
Key points
- President William Ruto starts an 8-day development tour of Kenya's Coast region
- The tour focuses on infrastructure, affordable housing, education, land reforms, energy, and water projects
- Ruto is expected to unveil a multibillion-shilling investment drive aimed at accelerating development projects and addressing historical land ownership challenges affecting coastal communities
