Thousands of Mombasa residents are receiving title deeds as the government steps up efforts to address longstanding land ownership concerns along the Coast. President William Ruto and coastal leaders used the exercise to highlight land rights, development projects and the government’s broader response to historical land grievances.
Highlights
- The government is issuing thousands of title deeds to Mombasa residents.
- Ruto said 1,659 titles were being issued in Dongo Kundu, 1,400 in Mwakirunge and 470 in Waitiki.
- The President said Sh10 billion had been allocated across three financial years to address squatting at the Coast.
- Coastal leaders praised the title deed programme and linked it to longstanding land concerns.
- Some leaders also expressed political support for Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Main Story
Thousands Receive Title Deeds
Land ownership took centre stage in Mombasa as the national government handed over thousands of title deeds to residents in several parts of the county.
President William Ruto said the exercise was part of a wider programme aimed at addressing squatting and historical land ownership grievances that have affected coastal communities for decades.
According to Ruto, 1,659 title deeds were being issued to residents of Dongo Kundu, another 1,400 to residents of Mwakirunge and 470 to beneficiaries in Waitiki.
He also said completed title deeds were available for residents of areas including Mafisini, Kwapunda in Jomvu, Kwa Hakatsa and Mikindani.
Government Allocates Sh10 Billion for Squatter Programme
Ruto said the government had set aside a total of Sh10 billion through the 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 budgets to support efforts aimed at eliminating squatting along the Coast.
He said the programme was intended to help residents secure formal ownership of land they have occupied for years.
The President also rejected the idea that residents with title deeds should automatically face eviction where disputes arise.
He said the government would seek to protect citizens from what he described as land speculation and would pursue compensation where necessary rather than allowing residents to be displaced from their homes.
Leaders Welcome Land Exercise
Several coastal leaders praised the title deed programme, describing land ownership as one of the region’s longest-running challenges.
Mishi Mboko said the issuance of titles in areas such as Dongo Kundu and Waitiki represented the fulfilment of longstanding promises to residents.
She also linked secure land ownership to the development of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone and the wider economic potential of the area.
Other leaders, including Mohamed Machele and Badi Twalib, similarly credited the administration with taking action on land ownership and port-related issues.
Their comments were largely supportive of the President and his development agenda.
Historical Land Grievances
Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi said coastal communities had continued to experience land ownership challenges even after independence.
He argued that many residents had historically lacked formal documentation to prove ownership, leaving some communities vulnerable to disputes and displacement.
Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya also described land ownership as a major issue for coastal residents.
Mvurya said communities had sometimes relied on ancestral graves, trees and other evidence to demonstrate their connection to land in the absence of formal title deeds.
He credited the current administration with including coastal communities in its broader development and governance agenda.
Leaders Link Land Issues to Politics
The title deed exercise also took on a political dimension, with some leaders openly expressing support for President Ruto.
Women Representative Zamzam Mohammed said the issuance of title deeds fulfilled a longstanding coastal aspiration and invoked the legacy of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga while praising Ruto’s land reforms.
She went further to declare political support for the President.
Mombasa MP Rashid Bedzimba also praised the administration over the title deed programme and said residents would have greater security against eviction once they obtained formal documentation.
Other speakers similarly called on coastal residents to support the President, particularly as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election.
Those political appeals were statements by the individual leaders and do not independently establish how residents across the Coast intend to vote.
Dongo Kundu and Other Projects
The land programme comes alongside several development projects that the government says are intended to expand economic opportunities at the Coast.
Ruto and his allies have pointed to infrastructure, port-related activities and special economic zones as part of a wider development agenda.
We also recently reported that the President also announced the issuance of more than 31,000 title deeds in Taita Taveta, where leaders similarly highlighted longstanding land disputes and infrastructure needs.
Land questions remain particularly significant for coastal communities, where disputes over historical ownership, settlement and development projects have continued to generate legal and political debate.
A recent court case involving residents occupying land earmarked for a planned refinery in Lamu has also highlighted continuing disagreements over land acquisition, compensation and formal ownership.
Focus on Security of Tenure
For beneficiaries receiving title deeds, the documents provide formal evidence of land ownership and can potentially offer greater security of tenure.
The government has presented the exercise as part of its broader effort to address historical land grievances and reduce uncertainty around ownership.
However, the long-term impact will depend not only on the issuance of documents but also on how outstanding disputes, compensation claims and development-related land conflicts are resolved.
For coastal families who have waited years for formal recognition of their land, the significance of a title deed goes beyond paperwork it can determine whether ownership finally comes with lasting security.
