OPINION: Title deeds dignify Coast residents, honour Raila by solving historical land injustices

For over six decades, the people of the Coastal region have lived in utter destitution in a place they proudly call home.  Being deprived of important documents such as title deeds relegated them to a squalid life with a dark cloud of uncertainty permanently hovering over their lives. 

With President William Ruto giving out over 300,000 title deeds (scaling up to 500,000 by December 2026), he has in many ways dignified the people who have unfairly borne the undue burden of being labelled sluggards out of circumstances not of their making. 

Successive political establishments paid lip service to the perennial issue of land while making it a hot political issue every election cycle. It is ironic that those that glossed over it , are now frothing at the mouth, seeing with anger at the point President Ruto delivered the title deeds to the residents. 

For aeons, the people of the Coast have been unjustly taunted with all manner of incendiary and repulsive profiling for alleged failure to optimise the rich arable land and resources at their disposal. This lopsided perspective has been debunked by the steely tenacity demonstrated in the face of daunting challenges successfully surmounted and is about to be totally obliterated, with people now holding the keys to charting a new prosperous course and rewriting lasting narratives. 

By issuing title deeds to the people of the larger coastal region, President Ruto has honoured and fulfilled the wishes of the late Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Raila Odinga. It is even more profound that this October is dedicated to celebrating and honouring the enduring legacy of the People’s President and consummate Pan- African.

 Historical land injustices remained a sticky concern that Baba Raila had vowed to resolve . This is one of the fundamental points of convergence between Broad Based partners that has been effectively addressed and continues to be implemented for the common good of all Kenyans. 

The people of the Coast can now look into the future with renewed interest, having obtained full ownership of their property.  They will no longer squat in their homes staring at a bleak future and threats of violent evictions looming over. 

The title deeds, as security, now open opportunities to obtain credit from financial institutions to develop and expand their livelihoods and create lasting value from their property. 

By honouring the people of the Coast region, President Ruto has decisively ended the currency of political scavengers and opportunists , who bereft of tangible agenda , would flock the region whipping emotions on the sensitive issues of land only to disappear until the next election season . 

On the flip side, ownership of title deeds sorts out succession issues for families who have had to endure, contend with or weather nasty disputes on land-related issues. 

 Witnessing genuine broad smiles of the beneficiaries in the respective counties obtaining the documents, I gathered that as a cultural necessity, land ownership, especially in a Kenyan setting, provides cultural and customary security for individuals and families. The title deed is more than a title. It’s a lifeline. 

What was more heartwarming for me was women legitimately laying a claim to owning land. For many it was a surreal moment.  The significance of this simple yet grand act intentionally advances land rights for women and empowers the very key demographic that powers society.

The writer is Senate Majority Leader and Senator for Kericho. @AaronCheruiyot.