By PCS and WMW
President William Ruto has intensified his development tour of the Coast region, unveiling a sweeping package of land reforms, infrastructure projects, and economic investments aimed at addressing long-standing historical injustices and accelerating regional transformation.
Yesterday, the President began a five-day tour by issuing more than 33,000 title deeds to residents from Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita-Taveta counties at Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa. The titles cover land in areas including Kilifi/Weru Ranch, Mwele Simakeni, Msabaha, Ka Dzandani, Wachu Kordentu, and Ronge Juu Registration Unit.
Ruto said the initiative was part of his commitment to resolving the decades-old squatter problem in the region. “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.
He added that in the past three years, the government has issued 1.5 million title deeds nationwide, with 381,000 benefiting Coast residents. An additional 200,000 titles are being processed and are expected within 90 days, benefiting over one million people.
The President directed the Ministry of Lands to speed up adjudication and subdivision processes, noting that several settlements, including Ronge Juu in Taita-Taveta, had waited nearly 60 years for formal recognition. He also announced ongoing adjudication in areas such as Vigurungani, Mtaa, Mazola, Chengoni, Bofu, Gandini, Kitengwani, Mihirini, Mwembe Kati, Tsangalaweni, Kalia Ngombe, Viragoni, Godoma, Ngoroki, Chawia, and Mu Mari.
As part of broader land reforms, the government has negotiated and acquired land in multiple areas including Kwa Punda, Junda, Gazi, Gombato, Shambani, Msabaha, Ganda, Takaungu, Mashamasha, Migingo, Likoni, Utange, and Bombo, benefiting thousands of families. The President said the aim is to settle squatters through dialogue rather than court disputes.
“We all agreed the solution will not be achieved through court battles but through dialogue,” he said, adding that land must become a source of prosperity, not conflict.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the government had fulfilled its promise to provide a “land answer” for the Coast, while leaders including Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Cabinet Secretaries Ali Hassan Joho and Salim Mvurya, and governors from the region praised the initiative as historic.
Later, the President said the government is implementing transformative projects across the Coast to ensure equitable development. He cited investments in roads, electricity, fisheries, ports, affordable housing, water projects, and special economic zones.
He highlighted over KSh5 billion invested in fisheries infrastructure, including five fish landing sites worth KSh820 million and 272 fishing boats distributed in partnership with county governments. He also noted expansion of port operations in Mombasa and major investments in the blue economy.
The government has allocated KSh50 billion for the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone and is developing the KSh40 billion Vipingo SEZ. In addition, KSh1.4 billion has been invested in a mariculture centre to boost fish production.
On infrastructure, Ruto announced ongoing and planned construction of modern stadia including Voi Stadium, a KSh1.4 billion stadium in Mombasa, and a KSh1 billion facility in Kilifi. He also revealed a KSh3 billion plan for a new Likoni ferry and KSh500 million for Mtongwe mobility upgrades.
In housing and social services, the government is investing KSh15 billion in affordable housing, markets, and student hostels in Kwale County, alongside construction of modern markets such as Diani and Kinango. A Level Four hospital in Samburu, Kwale, is also planned at a cost of KSh420 million.
On water and electricity, Mwache Dam is 70 percent complete while Pemba Dam is ready. The government has also launched last-mile connectivity projects and connected 12,000 households in Kwale, with plans to add 15,000 more. Roads such as Kwale-Kinango are also under construction.
Ruto also defended his administration against critics, accusing opposition leaders of spreading ethnic divisions. He warned against political blackmail and ethnic profiling, saying the government would not tolerate attempts to destabilize national unity.
“We cannot allow you to blackmail anybody in Kenya,” he said.
Deputy President Kindiki and other leaders praised the administration’s development record, while Governors Abdulswamad Nassir, Gideon Mung’aro, Fatuma Achani, Andrew Mwadime, and Dhadho Godhana said the Coast was finally receiving long-awaited investments.
The President further announced that 30 percent of all title deeds issued in the last three years have gone to Coast residents, underscoring what he called deliberate efforts to correct historical injustices.
He urged residents to support ongoing reforms, saying, “The Coast will no longer be discriminated against. We will transform the region as we transform the rest of the country.”
The tour continues across the region with additional development engagements expected in Lamu, Kwale, Kilifi, and Taita-Taveta counties.
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