MOMBASA, Kenya — President William Ruto has announced that the government will acquire a new Sh3 billion ferry to operate along the Likoni channel, in a move aimed at easing congestion and improving transport connectivity between Mombasa and Kwale counties.
Speaking on Thursday during a development tour of the Coast region, the President said the new ferry is expected to be delivered by December 2026 and will significantly boost mobility for commuters using the busy Likoni crossing.
He added that the government will also invest Sh500 million in upgrading the Mtongwe crossing, which links the Mombasa mainland to the South Coast, as part of broader infrastructure improvements in the region.
“We have committed Sh3 billion, and by December, we will have a new ferry to reduce the congestion here,” Ruto said, as residents and leaders gathered at the event.
Land reforms and title deeds push
The President also used the tour to advance his administration’s land reform agenda, announcing measures targeting absentee landlords and unresolved land ownership disputes that have affected thousands of Coast residents.
President Ruto directed the Ministry of Lands to begin subdivision of land parcels owned by absentee landlords within 90 days, saying the move would enable long-term occupants to obtain legal ownership.
He further announced plans to issue title deeds to an estimated 200,000 households, framing the initiative as a solution to the long-standing squatter problem in the region.
“We are going to ensure everybody has their own land,” he said, adding that affected residents would no longer be considered squatters once the process is completed.
Political leaders in attendance
The event was attended by several senior government officials and regional leaders, including Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Sports CS Salim Mvurya, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, and Governors Gideon Mung’aro of Kilifi and Abdulswamad Nassir of Mombasa.
The leaders praised the President’s development agenda in the Coast region and pledged political support ahead of the 2027 general election.
The government says the planned investment is expected to modernize the crossing system and improve efficiency at one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors.
