• Deputy governor Hazel Katana said the county authority was working with the national government on financing to purchase the controversial Waitiki Farm at Likoni.
• She said the county also wants to buy an 86-acre plot at Kwa Bhulo in Bamburi among others, to settle over 100,000 landless people.
• She added that the county with support from the national government had also rolled out a comprehensive plan to issue title deeds to squatters.

The Mombasa county government plans to acquire 990 acres of private land to settle more than 100,000 squatters.

Deputy governor Hazel Katana said the county authority was working with the national government on financing to purchase the controversial Waitiki Farm at Likoni.

She said the county also wants to buy an 86-acre plot at Kwa Bhulo in Bamburi among others, to settle over 100,000 landless people.

“The two parcels of land are among others the county has earmarked for acquisition to settle squatters,” she said.

She added that the county with support from the national government had also rolled out a comprehensive plan to issue title deeds to squatters.

Last month the county together with the State issued 3,400 title deeds at Jomvu, Kisauni and Nyali constituencies. Ms Katana said more ownership documents would be handed to squatters in Likoni and Changamwe constituencies.

Permanent homes

“We are determined to resolve the thorny issue of squatters so that the landless in Mombasa can have permanent homes,” she said.

The county has also started a drive to repossess public utility land purportedly grabbed by influential people.

Ms Katana said so far 18 plots had been identified for repossession.

Nyali MP Hezron Awiti said he would soon move a Motion in Parliament to compel the national government not to renew colonial-era leaseholds in Mombasa which expired early this year.

Mr Awiti noted that five plots in Nyali constituency where 32,000 families have been living for the last 40 years were among those whose leaseholds had expired.

The plots have been identified as belonging to absentee landlords.

He asked the government to consider using the plots at Kambi Kikuyu, Kisumu Ndogo, Kidogo Basi and Maweni to settle the 32,000 landless families.

Mombasa nominated senator Emma Mbura blamed some Coast MPs for land grabbing in the region.