Ruto Targets 500,000 Coast Land Title Deeds by December
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President William Ruto says the government will issue 500,000 land title deeds on the Kenyan coast by December 2026, with another 200,000 documents due when he returns to the region, in a push to resolve long-standing land ownership challenges.
President William Ruto has announced that he will return to the coast within two months as the government targets 500,000 title deeds by December 2026, in a drive to address longstanding land ownership challenges in the region.
“In two months, we will be back to the Coast with another 200,000 title deeds, addressing in large measure the squatter challenge in the region,” Ruto said in a statement on Saturday, October 3.
Ruto completed the first phase on Friday, October 2, after issuing title deeds in Lamu and Tana River counties, following similar exercises in Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta and Mombasa during his tour of the Coast. The first phase targets 300,000 title deeds, with another 200,000 expected when he returns in December.
In Lamu, he issued 20,189 title deeds to beneficiaries from Vipingoni, Mtangawanda, Shanga Rubu, Shanga Shakani, Hidabo, Muhamarani and Bahari, and issued community land certificates to communities in Rubu, Mwambore, Simambae, Mvundeni and Ashwei. In Tana River, he issued 4,500 title deeds to beneficiaries from Hola Town, Garsen Town, Bubesa, Galili, Kondertu, Wachakone, Chewani and Makamburini.
Ruto said the government would acquire land from four ranches — 10,000 acres each from Wachu and Haganda ranches, and 5,000 acres each from Kibusu and Kitangale, totalling 30,000 acres — to create additional space for resettling residents affected by the region’s land ownership challenges. The programme follows a presidential directive in May 2026 to accelerate the resolution of land tenure challenges affecting residents of the six Coast counties.
Lands and Physical Planning Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said the titling programme was being implemented alongside investments aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the Coast, including KSh6 billion committed to affordable housing in the county. “This land is yours. No Government will ever come to take it away from you,” Ruto said in Lamu.