By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, 21 May 2026 - President William Ruto on Thursday issued more than 33,000 title deeds to residents across the Coast region in what the government described as a major step towards resolving historical land injustices and the long-running squatter problem.
The exercise covered Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Kwale and Malindi, targeting families that have lived for decades on ancestral and settlement land without ownership documents. Malindi is in Kilifi county.
Speaking during the issuance ceremony in Mombasa, President Ruto said the government was committed to ending land insecurity and resolving disputes linked to absentee landlords and stalled adjudication processes.
“Thousands of people have lived without title deeds and this has meant living with uncertainty and fear of eviction. Today is a historic moment because we are finally solving this problem,” said President Ruto.
He acknowledged that the Coast region had borne the brunt of complex land ownership disputes, with some residents occupying land without legal documentation while others held titles to land they did not occupy.
“Some people have land but no title deeds, while others have title deeds but no land. We must correct this injustice,” he said.
The President revealed that since August 2022, the government has issued more than 1.5 million title deeds nationwide, with 381,000 issued in the Coast region alone.
He said the programme was part of a broader plan to restore dignity, unlock economic opportunities and enable landowners to use their property for development and access to credit.
In Mombasa County, 865 title deeds were issued, including 424 in Kadzandani ‘A’ Settlement Scheme and 390 in Kadzandani ‘B’.
Taita Taveta County received 5,833 title deeds, the majority of them in Ronge Juu, while Malindi accounted for 6,175 titles across several settlement schemes.
In Kwale County, 1,900 title deeds were distributed, while Kilifi County received 1,580.
President Ruto also announced that adjudication processes were ongoing in other parts of the Coast region, including Tana River County.
He directed the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning to complete surveying of all identified parcels within 90 days to pave way for issuance of more than 200,000 additional title deeds.
“I will return to this region to personally issue more than 200,000 title deeds to the people of the Coast,” he said.
The President also outlined several development projects aimed at boosting the Coast economy, including the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, the Vipingo Special Economic Zone and affordable housing projects.
He said the government would invest KSh 1.4 billion in fisheries development and another KSh 1.4 billion in sports infrastructure, including construction of a stadium.
Additional investments include KSh 3 billion for a new ferry and Sh500 million for improvement of the Mtongwe crossing channel.
“Pwani will not be left behind in development. We are unlocking its full economic potential,” President Ruto said.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki described the issuance of title deeds as a landmark intervention that would permanently address historical land challenges in the region.
“We are here to deliver a land solution that has eluded this region for many years. This is a defining moment for the Coast,” said Prof Kindiki.
Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Nixon Korir assured residents that the ministry would implement the President’s directive within the set timelines, including completion of land surveys within 90 days.
Also present were Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, governors, MPs and MCAs.
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