President Ruto says absentee landlords in Mombasa to be bought off

President William Ruto has said that soon absentee Mombasa landlords will be bought off and their parcels of land subdivided and given to landless residents in the area.

The President, who begun a five-day tour of the Coast on Thursday, also promised a litany of programmes aimed at uplifting the youth of the region especially the jobless.

The Head of State took the time to speak to the hearts and minds of residents telling them that soon, some Ksh.1 billion earmarked for redistribution of land owned by absentee landlords will be put to use.

“Mambo ya absentee landlords tutashughulikia…Budget tulipitisha bilioni moja ya kuanzisha hawa malandlords hii ardhi tuwagawie wananchi waache kuishi kama squatter,” he said.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff added: “Tunaomba baadhi ya mabwenyenye tumezungumza na financial institutions, watu wakilipa landrates, watu waweze kuwa na ardhi yao.”

The President said that during his stay, he will be unveiling an affordable housing project, with plans to launch more in the coming year.

“Kesho tunaanza affordable housing Mombasa County. Nyumba za kwanza 5,000 naanza safari hii. Januari 10,000…tunahitaji vijana kati ya 5,000 and 10,000…mko tayari?” He posed.

With five counties of the Coast connected through the Indian Ocean, President Ruto said more resources will be invested in the fishing industry, keen on value addition.

“Tuko na milioni mia saba ya wavuvi wa kaunti hizi tano. Tumesema, tunajenga landing sites 11 hapa Pwani…Bahari iko na raslimali ya karibu Ksh.100 billion kila mwaka,” he noted.

The President spoke ahead of Britain’s King Charles tour of Mombasa, that will coincide with his stay at the Coast, as he added that Kenya’s global efforts are bearing fruit for the local economy.