President William Ruto, during the first day of his five-day tour in the coastal region, has promised to address the long-standing issue of land disputes. He revealed that the national government has allocated Ksh. 1 Billion from the Settlement Trust Fund (STF) to purchase land from absentee landlords, ultimately facilitating the resettlement of landless residents in the area.

Thousands of coastal residents have been living as squatters on lands, with owners having either moved abroad or received land allocations before Kenya’s independence. In particular, Kisauni has seen numerous residents residing on disputed parcels of land. Certain areas, including Gandini, Maunguja, Kashani, and Ugatuzi, have already received eviction notices.

President Ruto has instructed Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to visit the affected areas to help address the complex land issue. His announcement came after inaugurating the Bamburi – Mwakirunge – Rabai – Kaloleni Road, a Sh2 billion project connecting Mombasa and Kilifi counties.

The upcoming days in Ruto’s coastal tour include hosting King Charles III at Mtongwe Naval Base for a program involving Kenya’s first Marine Commando Unit, presiding over a Cabinet meeting at State House Mombasa, and leading the Kenya Revenue Authority Taxpayers’ Day at Sarova Whitesands Hotel. The President will also travel to Lamu County to commission a road in Lamu East and then visit Tana River County for the commissioning of the Bura Irrigation Scheme and Galole Gravity Water Project. His tour will conclude on Sunday with an inter-denominational Prayer Service in Mombasa.

The President’s commitment to addressing land disputes and improving living conditions for the landless in the coastal region is seen as a significant step in resolving a contentious issue that has plagued the area for years.