MOMBASA, Kenya — President William Ruto will issue nearly 200,000 title deeds across Kenya’s Coast region as he begins a development tour of six counties on Saturday.
The President is also expected to break ground for a proposed East Africa Refinery in Lamu, a project the Government says will strengthen the country’s energy security and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
The tour will cover Taita-Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Tana River and Lamu counties, with Ruto expected to inspect ongoing Government projects, commission completed works and launch new developments.
Nearly 200,000 Title Deeds to Be Issued
The title deed programme is part of the Government’s plan to distribute 500,000 land ownership documents as it seeks to address longstanding land and squatter challenges in the Coast region.
Ruto will begin the tour in Taita-Taveta County, where 31,318 title deeds are scheduled to be issued to residents of Mwatate and Voi constituencies.
The President will then travel to Kwale County on Monday, where 94,175 title deeds will be distributed to beneficiaries in Lunga Lunga, Msambweni and Kinango.
In Kilifi County, 36,826 title deeds will be issued to residents of Kaloleni, Rabai, Ganze, Kilifi South and Malindi constituencies.
A further 4,360 title deeds will be issued in Mombasa, while 22,770 will be distributed across Lamu and Tana River counties.
Government Targets Historical Land Challenges
The Government says the programme is intended to address historical and administrative land challenges that have affected communities across the Coast for decades.
The title deeds will provide beneficiaries with formal documentation of land ownership and are expected to give them greater certainty over their property.
The Government also says formal ownership documents will enable beneficiaries to use their land more effectively for economic activities and investment.
Ruto to Launch Lamu Refinery
During the tour, Ruto is expected to break ground for the proposed East Africa Refinery in Lamu.
The project is described by the Government as a joint venture between the Kenyan Government and Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote.
The announcement puts the project’s estimated investment at $16 billion (about Sh2 trillion).
The refinery is expected to process crude oil from Lokichar in Turkana County and supply refined petroleum products to markets across East and Central Africa.
Refinery Expected to Boost Energy Security
According to the Government, the Lamu refinery will help strengthen Kenya’s energy security by increasing the country’s capacity to secure a reliable supply of petroleum products.
The project is also expected to support regional petroleum supply and create employment opportunities.
The Government projects that the refinery could create more than 500,000 jobs, although the number represents a projected impact rather than jobs already created.
Six Counties Set for Development Projects
Beyond the title deed programme and refinery, Ruto is expected to review development projects across the six Coast counties.
The tour will include inspections of ongoing projects, commissioning of completed developments and the launch of new Government initiatives.
The President is also expected to engage local leaders and residents on development priorities affecting the region.
The Coast tour comes as the Government continues to focus on land ownership, infrastructure, energy and other development issues in the region.
