The National Government has issued 6,247 title deeds to Kwale residents who lived without secure land ownership, thus assuring them real ownership.
The title deeds were issued to the beneficiaries by President William Ruto, who expressed his administration’s commitment to securing land tenure for all Kenyans.
President Ruto also commissioned the 154-unit Diani Affordable Housing Project, which will provide jobs and spur economic development in the region.
The move is in accordance with the government’s aspiration to empower Kenyans across the country with land in the acquisition of title deeds.
Land disputes and illegal land grabbing have long been a menace in Kwale, leaving many families without legal ownership of their ancestral land.
The title deeds were distributed to beneficiaries from Kinango, Matuga, and Msambweni sub-counties, covering the Mnyezeni Adjudication Section, Mijikenda Settlement Scheme, Kinarini Settlement Scheme, and Gazi Settlement Scheme.
Residents who received their title deeds said that the ownership documents are very valuable to them, allowing them to use them to obtain capital for their businesses and reduce land disputes.
Cabinet Secretary for Lands Alice Wahome says the government move seeks to address historical land injustices and ensure fair land distribution.
CS Wahome says the issuance of title deeds demonstrates the commitment by the government in resolving the long-standing squatter issue in the coastal region.
“The issuance of these title deeds is a testament to our commitment to addressing historical land injustices and ensuring every Kenyan has a rightful claim to their land. We are taking decisive steps to secure land tenure and empower communities for sustainable development,” she said.
The CS Wahome lauded the Affordable Housing Programme, stating that a decent and affordable housing project serves as a catalyst for economic development in the 47 counties, job creation and poverty alleviation.
The Lands CS, who was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning Nixon Korir, says the national government is working with the 47 devolved governments to ensure Kenyans access land with titles so they can develop it.
“We are implementing this government exercise under the national land titling programme to ensure that eligible Kenyans own titles to their properties and land,” she said, adding that the issuance of title deeds is going on well across the country.
She said her Ministry is doing its best to ensure that the national titling process is free of corruption and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Wahome further noted that the nationwide titling programme aims to resolve long-standing land-ownership disputes and uncertainties that have locked out landowners and businesses from accessing credit facilities from financial institutions.
She says the Diani housing scheme has already positively impacted over 250,000 young people in Ukunda, Kwale County.
She said the title deed issuance to eligible residents demonstrates the government’s commitment to resolving land ownership challenges in the coastal region.
Wahome says in an economic sense the land is now bankable, meaning that the beneficiaries and owners of properties can now use their property to get loans from the banks.
The residents and local leadership celebrated this milestone, marking an end to years of uncertainty over land ownership.
Governor Achani says residents will now feel motivated to invest and develop their land as they are now in possession of legal ownership documents.
Achani commended the President for his efforts in resolving land ownership disputes in Kwale and also called on the national government to assist in reclaiming grabbed land in Kaslak, Mbela Farm, Tiwi Block, among others, by private developers.
She observed that the issuance of title deeds was a step in the right direction, as this would attract investment and bring development to the counties.
Governor Achani says Kwale will collaborate with the national government and other stakeholders so as to comprehensively address the housing deficit in the region.
Achani says the drive to issue land ownership documents will help address all historical issues like the emotive land issue and marginalisation that have dogged the coastal region for decades.
She also welcomed the announcement by the president that the national government will buy land from absentee landlords and resettle squatters spread in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu.
“We appreciate the commitment to addressing land injustices. However, we still need support in reclaiming grabbed land in several areas so that rightful owners can benefit,” she said.
The coastal county boss said the issuance of title deeds marks a significant step in addressing long-standing land disputes in Kwale, giving residents’ security over their land and enabling them to use it for socio-economic development.
She, however, noted that the county government had made significant strides in recovering some grabbed land, ensuring that locals regain access to their rightful property.
Among the parcels of land that were reclaimed by the county government of Kwale are Chale Island, Kisite Mpunguti and two parcels of land in Diani, which will be used for the development of Diani Market and Bomas of Kwale.
By Hussein Abdullahi
