KISIP2 footprints visible as President Ruto issues 31,000 title deeds in Taita Taveta: Landmark exercise underscores State’s resolve to end land injustices and secure tenure for informal settlements

By Arnold Masila (KNA)

President William Ruto presided over the issuance of more than 31,000 title deeds to residents of Taita Taveta County, marking a major milestone in the Government’s efforts to resolve historical land injustices and secure tenure for informal settlements.

The exercise, held in Mwatate, showcased the transformative impact of the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP2), a flagship programme supported by the Government of Kenya in partnership with the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the European Union (EU).

For thousands of families who have lived for decades without proof of ownership, the day signified a new beginning. Beneficiaries from settlements including Kaloleni, Sofia, Majengo Mapya, Kijiji Cha Chewa, Mwakingali (Aseko), Mwatate Old Market, Bura Ndogo, Godoma, Kishamba B and Chawuse received documents formally linking them to the land they call home.

President Ruto announced that 2,200 residents of Godoma and 1,240 residents of Kaloleni would receive title deeds, alongside 718 for Mwakingali, 200 for Sofia, 823 for Bura Ndogo and 275 for Mwatate Old Market. He confirmed that titles for Kishamba B were under preparation and would be issued during the second phase of the exercise, expected to coincide with his planned visit to the county in the coming month.

Reaffirming the State’s resolve to address historical grievances, the President declared: “An injustice is an injustice, and discrimination is discrimination. Equality is equality. Just as other Kenyans have title deeds for their land, the people of the Coast should also be given theirs.”

He noted that the Government has invested Sh10 billion towards addressing squatter settlements in the Coast region and pledged additional resources to complete the titling process.

For beneficiaries, the significance of the exercise extends beyond the title deed itself. Formal recognition of land ownership provides security of tenure, reduces uncertainty, and creates an enabling environment for households to invest in their homes and property. Subject to legal and financial requirements, formally recognized land may also unlock access to credit and economic opportunities.

President Ruto emphasized that the issuance of deeds represents the culmination of years of planning, surveying, and land administration. “A title deed provides not only security of tenure, but also dignity, confidence and an opportunity for families to invest in their homes and communities,” he said.

The occasion highlighted KISIP2’s Land Tenure Regularization interventions, which have helped communities transition from insecure tenure to formal recognition.

Celestine Wanjala, Head of the Land Tenure Regularization Component, welcomed the issuance of titles, describing it as a tangible outcome of the project’s mission to address one of the most persistent challenges in informal settlements.

By securing tenure, KISIP2 is laying the foundation for sustainable community development.

The project also complements broader infrastructure upgrades, including roads, drainage systems, and solar streetlighting, which have already transformed settlements in counties such as Kiambu.

The Mwatate ceremony represents a systematic step towards resolving squatter settlements across the Coast.

For residents who have waited years to see their names formally linked to their land, the message was clear: settlements can be upgraded, communities can be recognized, and homes can become legally secure.