President William Ruto distributed 94,175 title deeds across Kwale County on Monday, marking a significant step in addressing land tenure challenges along Kenya's Coast region. The initiative, part of a broader program to issue 500,000 deeds by year-end, includes immediate distribution of 26,000 documents to residents of Lunga Lunga, Mwereni, Kanana, Mkono wa Ndugu, Gombato, and Anzwani ranches. The ceremony, held in Kibaoni, was part of Ruto's ongoing Coast tour, during which he aims to distribute 300,000 title deeds. The government has allocated KSh10 billion to acquire land from absentee landlords, enabling thousands of long-term occupants to secure formal ownership. Ruto emphasized the program's role in resolving decades-old squatter disputes and eliminating land-related conflicts. During the event, Ruto warned beneficiaries against fraudulent actors seeking to exploit the titling process.
The President stated that the Government had invested KSh10 billion to purchase land from absentee landlords and settle thousands of Kenyans, who had occupied the land for decades without valid ownership documents. He said the adjudication of additional land to benefit Coast residents was ongoing, assuring beneficiaries that the process would continue until the squatter problem is eliminated. President Ruto also cautioned Kenyans against unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit the titling process. “The Government of Kenya has paid everything for you to acquire these documents. Do not be deceived or coerced by anyone into parting with money to get your title deeds,” he said. Later, President Ruto launched the construction of the KSh2.4 billion Maungu-Kasighau and the KSh1.5 billion Voi-Sagala roads, both in Voi Constituency, Taita-Taveta County. “We are investing KSh15 billion this financial year to upgrade the road network in this county, the highest single allocation by an administration since Independence,” he pointed out. He also inspected the construction progress of Maungu Modern Market, the 10,000-seater Vindo Stadium, and the Voi Affordable Housing project. The President also emphasised that all regions in the country would benefit from equitable development under his administration. “Whatever development is taking place in other parts of the country, we are also implementing it here at the Coast,” he said. President Ruto said it was wrong for some political leaders to use young leaders to oppose government programmes, including affordable housing, universal healthcare and the new university funding model, simply because they had been unable to implement them during their time in office. “That sponsor is egging our young leaders on, lying to them and encouraging them to oppose these programmes because he failed to implement them during his time,” he said. Present at the functions were Governors Fatuma Achani (Kwale) and Andrew Mwadime (Taita-Taveta), Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Principal Secretaries, MPs and MCAs, among others.
President Ruto also highlighted infrastructure projects alongside land reforms, including the launch of two major road construction initiatives in Taita-Taveta County. The Maungu-Kasighau road, costing KSh2.4 billion, and the Voi-Sagala road, valued at KSh1.5 billion, are part of a KSh15 billion investment to upgrade the region's transport network. Ruto noted this as the largest single infrastructure allocation in the county's history. Additionally, he toured ongoing developments such as the Maungu Modern Market, Vindo Stadium, and Voi Affordable Housing, framing them as examples of equitable national development. The president criticized political figures who allegedly manipulate youth to oppose government policies, accusing them of misleading young leaders to undermine initiatives like affordable housing and healthcare. Governors Fatuma Achani of Kwale and Andrew Mwadime of Taita-Taveta, along with Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and other officials, attended the events.
The distribution of title deeds and infrastructure projects occurred during Ruto's Coast region tour, which began on Saturday. The president reiterated his commitment to resolving land disputes, stating,
When I sought your votes in 2022, I promised that I had the answer to the land question at the Coast. You are now witnesses that we meant what we said,