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Ruto reiterates plans to address Coast land issues in State House meeting with leaders
President William Ruto addresses residents during the laying a foundation stone at Whitehouse Diani's Affordable Housing Project in Kwale County on February 25, 2025.
President William Ruto says his Kenya Kwanza administration is making progress in addressing the historical land issues in the Coast region and eradicating the squatter problem.
The Head of State said the government will further issue title deeds to residents.
This comes barely months after the State set in motion plans to purchase land from absentee landlords and resettle squatters at the Coast.
In February, President Ruto tasked Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and Cabinet secretaries Hassan Joho (Mining) and Salim Mvurya (Sports) with identifying and vetting genuine absentee landlords for compensation.
“We are also making progress in sorting out the historical land issues in the region, eradicating the squatter problem and issuing title deeds to residents,” said the President at the State House, in Nairobi when he hosted leaders from Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale and Taita Taveta counties.
Dr Ruto further pledged to uplift the region's economy through various interventions in agriculture, the blue economy, and the maritime sectors.
Historical land challenges, evictions and squatters have plagued the region for years with politicians using it as a campaign tool. However, Coast leaders lauded the move saying the President will solve challenges in the region.
“The deliberations were not only timely but also promising, and we are confident that they will bear tangible fruits for the region,” said Malindi MP, Amina Mnyazi.
Likoni MP Mishi Mboko said the meeting addressed the pressing challenges facing the Coast remains a top priority.
She said the agenda was to unlock the region’s economic potential through targeted interventions in agriculture, the blue economy, and maritime development adding that the sectors hold the key to sustainable livelihoods and long-term prosperity for Coastal communities.
Persistent challenges
“We also made significant headway in addressing historical land injustices. There was a strong commitment to resolving the squatter problem and accelerating the issuance of title deeds to rightful landowners,” said Ms Mboko.
Last week, the Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Danson Mwashako met the leadership in Kisumu where they deliberated on how to tackle the persistent challenges facing the region and map out practical and lasting solutions.
“Among our key resolutions is the push for increased budget allocations in the FY 2025/2026 to address pressing regional priorities, while also setting mechanisms for long-term policy engagement,” said Mr Mwashako who is also the Wundanyi MP.
Before the meeting, the caucus conducted a comprehensive stakeholder mapping exercise, with key development stakeholders, including Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Wildlife Service, Agricultural Finance Corporation, Agricultural Development Authority, Coast Water Works Development Agency, and Coast Development Authority, among others.
