MOMBASA, Kenya –  William Ruto on Thursday launched a five-day development tour of the Coast region by issuing more than 33,000 title deeds to residents from six counties, in what the government described as a major step toward resolving historical land ownership disputes.

The title deeds were handed over during a ceremony held at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa, benefiting residents from Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale and Taita-Taveta counties. The land documents cover areas including Kilifi/Weru Ranch, Mwele Simakeni, Msabaha, Ka Dzandani, Wachu Kordentu and the Ronge Juu Registration Unit.

Speaking during the event, President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ending squatter problems along the Coast.

“Today, we are here to address the challenge of squatters, citizens who live in fear of being evicted. It is a commitment I made and it is a commitment I intend to keep,” he said.

The President revealed that the government has issued 1.5 million title deeds across the country over the past three years, with 381,000 of them allocated to residents in the Coast region.

He further announced that an additional 200,000 title deeds are currently being processed and are expected to be ready within the next 90 days, benefiting more than one million residents.

“One million residents will be issued with title deeds. They will stop being squatters and become landowners,” President Ruto stated.

The Head of State directed the Ministry of Lands to accelerate land subdivision and adjudication processes to ensure deserving beneficiaries receive ownership documents promptly.

He also noted that the government had negotiated with absentee landlords to acquire several parcels of land aimed at settling long-standing land disputes affecting families in the Coast region.

President Ruto cited the case of Ronge Juu in Taita-Taveta County, where families have reportedly waited nearly six decades for formal land ownership recognition.

Ongoing land adjudication exercises are currently taking place in areas such as Vigurungani, Mtaa, Mazola, Chengoni, Bofu, Gandini, Kitengwani, Mihirini, Mwembe Kati, Tsangalaweni, Kalia Ngombe, Viragoni, Godoma, Ngoroki, Chawia and Mu Mari.

According to the President, the process is expected to result in the issuance of more than 55,000 additional title deeds.

The government is also strengthening registration of community land, with six community land units already formalised in Taita-Taveta and Tana River counties, while nine more are under processing.

President Ruto highlighted several land acquisition and settlement programmes already completed, including Kwa Punda in Changamwe, Junda in Kisauni, Gazi in Msambweni, Gombato in Kwale County, Shambani in Msabaha, Ganda in Malindi and Takaungu in Kilifi.

He added that negotiations had been finalised for additional settlements in Mashamasha in Lamu, Migingo in Malindi and parts of Likoni in Mombasa.

The President commended absentee landlords for embracing dialogue instead of prolonged court battles in resolving land ownership disputes.

“We all agreed the solution will not be achieved through court battles but through dialogue,” he said.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said resolving land ownership challenges was one of the key promises made by the Kenya Kwanza administration to the people of the Coast.

Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho noted that lack of title deeds had subjected many residents to fear and uncertainty for years.

Mining Principal Secretary Salim Mvurya said the administration had fulfilled its pledge to address historical land injustices in the region.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi described land ownership as one of the greatest challenges facing the Coast region and praised the President’s intervention. Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro said successive governments had failed to resolve the land issue despite repeated promises over the years.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani thanked the President for addressing the long-standing squatter problem affecting Coast residents.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the current administration had demonstrated unprecedented commitment to resolving land disputes in the region.

“Today, the President is not here to make promises. He has come to inform you that he has delivered on the promise he made to you,” Governor Nassir said.

Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana and Taita-Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a historic intervention for the region.

Kilifi North MP Owen Baya said the Coast region would support President Ruto’s re-election bid due to his development record, while Tana River Woman Representative Amina Dika praised the administration for also addressing challenges surrounding access to national identification cards in the region.