The government is stepping up efforts to resolve longstanding land disputes in the coastal region, with the Head of State expected to issue 200,000 title deeds during his forthcoming week-long tour of the region.
Lands Principal Secretary (PS), Nickson Korir, said the initial batch of title deeds forms part of a wider government programme targeting more than 300,000 ownership documents for beneficiaries across the five coastal counties by December.
Korir made the announcement Monday, during a joint Parliamentary Committee retreat held at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and Spa in Mombasa County.
He said the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development was finalising pending settlement schemes and negotiating with private landowners to pave the way for residents who have occupied the land for years to obtain formal ownership documents.
The programme covers Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties, where historical land disputes have left thousands of residents without formal title deeds.
“We are committed to resolving long-standing land grievances through peaceful compensation,” said Korir, adding, “Our role is to ensure landowners receive what is due to them, while long-term occupants without formal documents also get their rights recognised.”
The PS said the government was engaging private title holders, whose land is occupied by informal settlers, with compensation forming part of efforts to resolve the disputes without resorting to forced evictions.
He identified Gombato and Diani in Kwale County among areas where residents have lived for decades without formal ownership documents.
Korir said the government’s approach seeks to protect the rights of registered landowners while providing tenure security to long-term occupants through negotiated settlements.
Korir dismissed claims that some government-issued title deeds were fake, saying documents processed under settlement programmes undergo legal verification.
He said the government would continue protecting legitimate landowners while addressing historical grievances affecting residents who have occupied land without formal documentation.
The National Assembly Lands Committee Chairperson, Joash Nyamache, said Parliament was working with the Executive to address petitions involving disputed farms and other land grievances.
Nyamache said the parliamentary retreat provided an opportunity for lawmakers to receive responses from the Ministry of Lands on pending petitions and facilitate faster action on the cases.
“Our committee is working with the executive branch to process public petitions speedily,” said Nyamache. “We want to ensure every disputed farm receives a fair review so Parliament can deliver lasting solutions.”
by Sadik Hassan
