MOMBASA, County—Residents of Kwa Punda in Mikindani Ward, Jomvu Constituency, have received renewed hope of securing legal ownership of the land they occupy following the launch of a land survey exercise that will pave the way for the issuance of title deeds.
The exercise, being undertaken jointly by the County Government of Mombasa and the National Government through the State Department for Lands, marks a significant milestone in efforts to address historical land ownership challenges that have affected thousands of families in the area for decades.
According to county officials, approximately 1,000 households are expected to benefit from the planned title deed issuance programme, a move that is expected to reduce squatter settlements, enhance security of tenure and unlock economic opportunities for residents.
Speaking during a public meeting to introduce surveyors and officially launch the exercise, Mombasa Lands, Housing and Urban Planning County Executive Committee Member Mohamed Hussein urged residents to remain vigilant and support the process to ensure its successful completion.
Hussein cautioned residents against individuals who may seek to politicise the exercise, noting that the survey process is a crucial step towards resolving long-standing land ownership challenges facing the community.
He also called on residents to cooperate with survey teams and ensure adequate space is set aside for essential public utilities and social amenities that may be developed in the area in the future.
“This process is intended to benefit the community and secure the future of residents. We urge everyone to work closely with the surveyors and support the exercise to its conclusion,” he said.
The title deed programme forms part of broader efforts by both levels of government to address historical land injustices and provide legal ownership documents to residents who have lived on land for years without formal tenure.
Land ownership remains one of the most sensitive and persistent challenges in Mombasa County, where thousands of residents across several informal settlements have for decades lived as squatters despite occupying land for generations.
Unending land tussles
The county has historically grappled with complex land disputes arising from absentee landlords, historical ownership claims, delayed adjudication processes and a shortage of title deeds. These challenges have often left families vulnerable to evictions, limited access to credit facilities and hampered development in affected communities.
Areas within Jomvu, Kisauni, Likoni and Mvita constituencies have over the years experienced recurring land-related disputes, with residents repeatedly calling on government authorities to accelerate the issuance of ownership documents.
Jomvu Constituency, in particular, continues to record a high number of informal settlements, with many residents lacking legal documentation for the land they occupy. The absence of title deeds has remained a major source of tension and uncertainty for many families.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir has on several occasions identified land ownership as one of the county’s key development priorities, arguing that issuance of title deeds is essential in empowering residents economically and providing security of tenure.
County officials say the ongoing survey exercise in Kwa Punda is expected to lay the foundation for formal land ownership, enabling beneficiaries to invest confidently in their properties and improve their livelihoods.
For many residents, the commencement of the survey exercise represents more than just a technical process. It is seen as a long-awaited step towards resolving years of uncertainty and securing a future built on legal ownership and dignity.
