Ruto concludes first phase of Coast land titling programme

Ruto completed the first phase on Friday after issuing title deeds to beneficiaries in Lamu and Tana River counties, following similar exercises in Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta and Mombasa during his tour of the region this week.

The programme targets a total of 500,000 title deeds in two phases, with an additional 200,000 ownership documents expected to be issued by December.

In Lamu, the President issued 20,189 title deeds to beneficiaries from Vipingoni, Mtangawanda, Shanga Rubu, Shanga Shakani, Hidabo, Muhamarani and Bahari, alongside community land certificates for communities in Rubu, Mwambore, Simambae, Mvundeni and Ashwei.

“This land is yours. No Government will ever come to take it away from you. Today, we are issuing 20,189 title deeds as we correct historical injustices and restore dignity to our people,” Ruto said.

He said the government had paid the full cost of surveying and processing the titles and would return to Lamu in December to issue additional ownership documents.

In Tana River, Ruto issued 4,500 title deeds to beneficiaries from Hola Town, Garsen Town, Bubesa, Galili, Kondertu, Wachakone, Chewani and Makamburini.

“The titles we have issued since Monday will benefit 300,000 people in this region. I will come back in December to issue another 200,000,” the President said.

The initiative was launched following a presidential directive in May to accelerate the resolution of land tenure challenges affecting residents of the six coastal counties.

The programme seeks to transition residents who have lived on land without formal ownership documents into registered landowners, while addressing issues involving absentee landlords and bureaucratic barriers that have delayed the issuance of title deeds.

Ruto has also directed that absentee landlords should not use the process to obtain what he described as unfair financial gains from the regularisation of land occupied by squatters.

The programme has been framed by the government as part of efforts to address historical land injustices in the Coast region, where land ownership disputes and the squatter problem have persisted for decades.

Lands and Physical Planning Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said the titling programme was being implemented alongside investments intended to support economic development in the region.

“Alongside the issuance of these title deeds, the Government is investing in transformative projects that will unlock the economic potential of this county, including major infrastructure, affordable housing and other strategic developments. We have committed KSh6 billion to affordable housing in this county,” Wahome said in Mokowe.

Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Generali Nixon Korir said the ministry was committed to implementing the President’s directives and processing another 200,000 titles by December.

“We are committed to implement all the directives by the President on titling. We are ready to ensure to process another 200,000 titles by December so that we reach the target of 500,000 titles,” Korir said in Garsen.

The titling exercise has also benefited senior political leaders from the Coast. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who hails from Kilifi County, said he was among residents waiting to receive a title deed during the President’s visit to the county.

Kingi said that despite having served as a Member of Parliament and governor before becoming Senate Speaker, previous administrations had not resolved the barriers preventing him from obtaining a title for his land.

Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime also shared personal and family experiences linked to the region’s longstanding land ownership challenges.

The government plans to continue the programme in December when Ruto is expected to return to the Coast to oversee the issuance of the remaining 200,000 ownership documents.