Ruto rallies Coast, promises to buy idle lands in 90 days

President William Ruto has intensified his political charm-offensive at the Coast, promising to buy off all the idle lands in the hands of absentee landlords and redistribute to thousands of squatters in the region.

The move, he said, will end the long-standing land question that has for decades dominated local politics and left thousands of families without ownership documents.

He directed the exercise be concluded in three months, saying his administration has set aside a budget to buy the idle land and redistribute to the genuine squatters.

“In the next 90 days, I have directed that we buy the land from the absentee landlords. The government has given the money to buy them and give to squatters,” Ruto said.

The President linked the lack of development in the area to the issue of land question as the locals are not motivated to invest.

“As squatters, they cannot develop because they don’t have the security. We must solve the challenge,” he said.

The President was in Ganze, Kilifi county for thanksgiving prayers for Sports PS Jacobs Fikirini.

The event was briefly disrupted after a dramatic security breach involving a young man carrying a Bible.

The man bypassed presidential security officers and made his way toward the dais, where the President was addressing the crowd, forcing a temporary halt to the programme before security personnel intervened and whisked him away.

The President downplayed the breach, promising to listen to his concerns.

“The young man has no problem, maybe he has learnt from Fikirini Jacobs that when there is an opportunity, you make good use of it. I will attend to him,” he said.

The President also rallied support for his administration, highlighting ongoing projects in infrastructure, affordable housing, healthcare and education.

He told residents his government was focused on development and economic empowerment rather than divisive politics.

The Coast region is expected to be a key battleground in the next election, with political leaders already positioning themselves to influence voting patterns in the populous counties.

The President's offensive comes weeks after United Opposition leaders Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka pitched camp in the region to popularise their 2027 bid.

In a apparent reference to the opposition leaders, Ruto declared that the era of political insults and tribal politics was over, urging leaders to focus on development and national unity instead of divisive rhetoric.

“We have changed the politics of this country and never shall we have hatred and tribalism defining our politics,” he said.

He was accompanied by Senate speaker Amason Kingi, Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho (Mining), Salim Mvurya (Sports), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), several Principal Secretaries, Governors Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), Abdulwamad Nassir (Mombasa), Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta) and a number of MPs, led by Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya.

Joho took a jibe at the United Opposition leaders, accusing some of them of neglecting the region during their time in government.

Singling out Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the minister said the former Vice President did nothing to the region despite serving for many years in the Cabinet.

“Our problem started long time ago, when the likes of Kalonzo were in government and they didn’t do anything,” Joho said.

He maintained the region is firmly in the broad-based government and will rally behind Ruto in 2027.

“We will support you in this journey (re-election), we also expect it will be reciprocated after you are done,” he said.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir reiterated the support and said the opposition is aimless.

“I have heard some people with zero agenda. From morning their agenda is ‘Ruto must go’. We are telling them that we shall be with you and this time, we will be in government through the door,” Nassir said.

Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadimu said the Coast region is a two-term zone.

He said the region will reciprocate the government’s intervention in the area by voting to a man for his re-election next year.

“Those who are in opposition Ruto’s re-election have no vision for the country. We shall hold your hand moving forward and ensure you retain your seat,” Mwadime said.

Area Governor Gideon Mung’aro acknowledged the government's support to the region. 

“We have agreed, both UDA and ODM leaders, to back Ruto,” he said.

National Assembly Deputy Minority leader Owen Baya said Ruto’s administration has given the region national pride.

He mentioned various government interventions, such as roads, hospitals and electricity installation, as some of the projects the people are seeing for the first time since independence.

“We are now Kenyans. We never used to feel part of Kenya. We are now respected because of what you have done to us,” the Kilifi North MP said.

Coast region is projected to have about 2.5 million voters by the time of the next election. It currently has 1.96 million voters, with Mombasa commanding the majority with about 640,000 voters, followed by Kilifi's 588,000. 

The region is a battleground, with the Kalonzo Musyoka's opposition side also upping their overtures, happening in the vacuum left by Raila Odinga, who enjoyed unrivalled support for a better time of his polity.

Ruto and his ruling party UDA is banking on the Coast vote to shore up for the numbers lost in Mt Kenya. The party has restated it is keen to address decades of marginalisation that have seen the region drag in terms of development.

This has been showcased through the title deeds and projects launches, including last-mile electricity connectivity and roads.

Ruto's Deputy Kithure Kindiki has been on the project sites ahead of the President's visit, with some regions said to be experiencing government services closely for the first time after years of waiting.