Leaders in Kilifi County have expressed concern over reports that some beneficiaries of recent government land settlement programmes are disposing of their plots soon after receiving title deeds, raising fears that efforts to tackle historical landlessness at the Coast could be undermined.
According to local leaders, a growing number of families who were recently issued ownership documents have opted to sell their land at relatively low prices before relocating to privately owned farms elsewhere.
The trend has sparked debate over the sustainability of government-led settlement initiatives aimed at providing permanent solutions for squatters.
The issue has reignited longstanding concerns over the existence of what some leaders describe as professional squatters in parts of the coast region.
For years, community leaders and land rights advocates have argued that certain individuals repeatedly occupy private land, benefit from resettlement programmes, and later sell the allocated property before moving to other unoccupied parcels.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro said it was worrying that some beneficiaries appeared ready to dispose of their land immediately after securing ownership documents.
“In certain instances, families had already prepared sale agreements before receiving their title deeds.”
The governor urged residents to view the documents as a long-term investment rather than an opportunity for quick financial gain.
Mung'aro revealed that a regional committee established by President William Ruto is continuing efforts to identify additional land for settlement programmes.
The team comprises the governors of Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River and Taita Taveta counties, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
"There are many title deeds that have been processed for our people, and I will be going round to distribute them to the beneficiaries. We also have many other parcels of land that we are identifying so that they can be bought and people settled," said Mung'aro.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, alongside Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, during the issuance of title deeds in the Msabaha area, Kilifi County. (Courtesy)
Malindi MP Amina Mnyanzi called on local leaders to take advantage of their cooperation with President Ruto to push for a lasting solution to the squatter challenge, which has affected many families across the region for decades.
"We are going to utilise our good relationship with President Ruto so that we can get more development to our region and resolve the squatter problem for good. It has been a campaign tool for many years, but we are very confident Ruto will end that," she said.
Kenya Land Alliance Coast Chapter Chairman Nagib Shamsan alleged that, "Some of the groups involved in such activities invade private farms and establish settlements through force."
Meanwhile, nominated MCA Betty Kache appealed to families to remain united after receiving title deeds, noting that land ownership disputes continue to divide households and communities.
She warned against making decisions on land sales without consulting relatives, saying disagreements over inheritance and ownership have in some cases escalated into serious conflicts.
"Let these title deeds be a unifying factor in our families, and let no one sell their land without involving other family members because many families have been torn apart because of greed by some of their members who sell land at throwaway prices and leave the rest of the family suffering," said Kache.
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