President Ruto warns wealthy Coast landowners against harassing squatters

President William Ruto has warned wealthy landowners in the Coast region against frustrating squatters, saying his administration will not allow Kenyans to be harassed over land they have occupied for years.

Speaking in Mombasa on the seventh day of his Coast tour, President Ruto said he was ready to confront land grabbers, directing residents not to leave the land they currently occupy.

The Head of State spoke at the Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa during a ceremony where he issued at least 5,000 title deeds to residents.

He warned landowners saying they would be required to produce valid ownership documents or risk losing their claims over the land, seemingly questioning the legitimacy of some titles.

“Kuna watu mabwenyenye wajeuri ambao nimezungumza nao...wacha mimi niwaeleze leo, nyinyi mabwenyenye wajeuri na watu wa dharau...hamuezi hangaisha wananchi ambao wanaishi sasa kama maskuota na nyinyi mnawasumbua na title…nyinyi mko na hatimiliki mliopata kwa njia sio za halali,” said Ruto.

The President said his administration would stand with ordinary Kenyans facing harassment from wealthy landowners, insisting that the government would not be blackmailed over the matter.

“Na mnaniskia popote pale mlipo...serikali ya Kenya haiwezi kuwa blackmailed...hiyo tittle nimewaambia njooni tuketi nitawapatia pesa lakini hao wananchi hawatatoka kwa mashamba yao,” he said.

Across the Coast region, the President announced plans to issue a total of 300,000 title deeds to residents, as the government moves to address long-running land ownership disputes.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said: “Mambo ya ardhi hao watu kila mtu atatoka na yake ndio maana tumeamua kupanga hii kazi hivi"

President Ruto is expected to wind up his week-long Coast tour on Saturday with a visit to Lamu County.