Yesterday, on June 24, Deputy President William Ruto announced that his administration would purchase more than two million acres from remote landowners in order to relocate Coast squatters.
In the six coastal counties, the DP promised to resolve the contentious land issue. His administration will put aside funds to purchase land and relocate squatters in Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, and Tana River, he continued, adding that he is aware of the issues in the area.
Particularly during election season, the topic of landlessness stirs up strong emotions. According to him, Raila Odinga, the presidential candidate for the Azimio la Umoja One coalition party in Kenya, wants to amend the Constitution rather than boost the country’s economy.
The DP promised that his administration will lower the cost of food and agricultural inputs.
“They are busy with their interests instead of fixing the economy,” he said in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta, during a rally at the town’s bus terminus.
Dr Ruto blamed the March 9, 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Odinga “for diverting the Jubilee government’s Big Four Agenda, leading to food insecurity”.
“The food security agenda was diverted by the handshake.”
Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya said Azimio has no genuine agenda for the Coast. He dismissed the promises by Mr Odinga, saying he failed to help the region when he was Prime Minister.
Mr Mvurya said the transfer of Mombasa Port operations to Naivasha has hurt over 8,000 residents, who depended on it for livelihoods. “Within the first 100 days, the Kenya Kwanza government will return port operations to Mombasa. That is why I’m urging you to vote for the DP. We have agreed that all land issues will be resolved.”
