President Dr. William Ruto has launched the second phase of Kenya’s National Land Titling Programme, distributing 300,000 land ownership documents to residents in Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Taita Taveta, and Tana River counties during his ongoing coastal tour. The initiative, part of a national plan to issue 500,000 deeds, aims to address decades of land disputes and squatter challenges in the region. At Mama Ngina Waterfront Grounds, Ruto distributed 5,000 title deeds to beneficiaries from settlement schemes in Dongo Kundu, Waitiki, Mwakirunge, Mikindani, and Mafisini. The program has now issued over one million title deeds nationwide, marking a significant milestone in securing land rights for historically marginalized communities.
Mombasa politician Said Abdalla, a parliamentary aspirant for Nyali constituency in the 2027 general election, praised the initiative, calling it a critical step toward economic empowerment. He highlighted that formal land titles would enable residents to access loans for development projects, while addressing long-standing uncertainties caused by land grabbing and disputes. Abdalla noted that private developers and land cartels had long threatened squatters, and the titling program would restore land to communities while curbing illegal encroachments on public land. 'This initiative directly addresses historical injustices that have marginalized the local population,' he said, emphasizing the need for authorities to combat land grabbers driven by greed.
The program’s expansion reflects Ruto’s administration’s focus on resolving administrative and historical land challenges in the Coast region, where insecure land tenure has hindered development. Abdalla, who endorsed the Kenya Kwanza government’s policies, argued that stability and continuity were essential to completing the administration’s development agenda. He called on authorities to enforce measures against land grabbers, stressing that the titling initiative would protect vulnerable communities and improve livelihoods. The effort aligns with broader efforts to formalize land ownership, ensuring that ancestral and settlement lands are recognized and safeguarded.
The distribution of title deeds underscores the government’s commitment to addressing systemic land inequities, with implications for economic growth, social stability, and legal clarity. As the program progresses, its success will depend on effective implementation, transparency, and sustained political will to counter entrenched interests. For now, the initiative represents a pivotal moment in Kenya’s land reform agenda, offering hope to communities long denied formal recognition of their land rights.