President William Ruto on Monday oversaw the issuance of 94,175 title deeds in Kwale County as the government intensified efforts to resolve long-running land ownership and squatter disputes at the Coast.

More than 26,000 title deeds were handed to beneficiaries at Kibaoni in Lunga Lunga Constituency, covering residents of Lunga Lunga, Mwereni, Kanana, Mkono wa Ndugu, Gombato and Anzwani ranches.

Ruto said the exercise is part of a wider programme to issue 300,000 title deeds during his Coast tour, with the government targeting 500,000 by the end of the year.

“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,” he said.

The President said the government had invested Sh10 billion to acquire land from absentee landlords and settle families that have occupied the land for decades without formal ownership documents.

He said land adjudication would continue as the government seeks to address the squatter problem across the region.

Ruto also warned residents against paying brokers or individuals claiming they could facilitate access to title deeds.

“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 in Taita-Taveta County, Ruto launched construction of the Sh2.4 billion Maungu-Kasighau road and the Sh1.5 billion Voi-Sagala road.

He said the government had allocated Sh15 billion this financial year to upgrade the county’s road network.

Ruto also inspected works at Maungu Modern Market, the 10,000-seater Vindo Stadium and the Voi Affordable Housing project.

“Whatever development is taking place in other parts of the country, we are also implementing it here at the Coast,” he said.

The President also defended flagship government programmes, including affordable housing, universal healthcare and the new university funding model, while accusing unnamed political figures of encouraging younger leaders to oppose them.

“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,” Ruto said.

Governors Fatuma Achani of Kwale and Andrew Mwadime of Taita-Taveta, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Principal Secretaries, MPs and MCAs attended the events.

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