MOMBASA, County—The Mombasa County Government has initiated fresh efforts to resolve the long-standing land dispute in Guu Ng’ombe area of Mwakirunge, Kisauni Sub-County, through dialogue and community engagement.
Mombasa County Lands, Housing, Urban Planning and Serikali Mtaani, Executive Committee Member Mohammed Hussein Amadoh, said the county administration under Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir is committed to finding a lasting solution to the land conflict that has affected hundreds of families for years.
Speaking during a public forum held in the area, Amadoh acknowledged the painful history surrounding the dispute, including the 2010 incident in which at least five people lost their lives, and called for a community-driven approach to address the matter.
“The residents have clearly indicated that they need title deeds, which is their right. As a county government, we must explore all possible avenues to ensure residents acquire title deeds before any development project is undertaken in Mwakirunge,” said Amadoh.
The county official noted that the disputed parcel is reportedly registered under an individual who holds a title deed, a matter that the county government is currently pursuing in an effort to find an amicable solution.
“We cannot have two title deeds for the same parcel of land. Let us work together and ensure that everyone benefits from this land. One thing I want to assure residents is that nobody will be evicted from this land,” he said.
Amadoh further assured residents that Governor Nassir’s administration remains committed to securing land ownership rights for bona fide occupants through dialogue and consultation.
He emphasized that the county government has deliberately chosen engagement over confrontation in addressing the dispute.
“I was not in leadership during the painful 2010 incident where five people were shot dead, neither was Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir. Today we are in leadership and we have chosen dialogue and community engagement instead of excessive force. That is why we are not accompanied by security officers because we understand how easily tensions can escalate,” he said.
The county government is now encouraging the more than 900 families living on the land to establish a representative committee that will spearhead discussions and work closely with authorities towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Amadoh reiterated that the county government is determined to ensure that all genuine beneficiaries receive ownership documents while maintaining peace and stability in the area.
Meanwhile, Kenya Land Alliance Coast Coordinator Najib Shamsan called on the county government to expedite the resolution of the dispute while safeguarding the dignity and rights of affected residents.
“Let us handle everything in a transparent manner and ensure that the rights of residents are protected throughout the process,” said Shamsan.
The renewed efforts come shortly after President William Ruto, during his recent tour of the Coast region, directed county governments and relevant agencies to accelerate the resolution of historical land disputes and facilitate the issuance of title deeds to residents.
The President reportedly gave a 90-day timeline for relevant authorities to put in place mechanisms aimed at resolving land ownership challenges and expanding access to title deeds across the region.
For residents of Guu Ng’ombe, many of whom have lived on the disputed land for decades, the ongoing dialogue offers renewed hope that a peaceful and lasting solution may finally be within reach.
