By Shaban Omar
Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga faced tough questions on Monday as Kasemeni residents challenged the legitimacy of President William Ruto-issued title deeds over alleged land survey irregularities.
The residents questioned how the government could issue title deeds before completing the land survey.
The dispute has affected more than 10,000 families, with residents raising concerns over discrepancies between the acreage indicated on their title deeds and the actual size of land they occupy, according to the community.
Chidzuga defended the government's exercise, insisting that the title deeds were genuine and urging residents not to be misled by individuals seeking to portray President Ruto negatively.
She maintained that land surveys could legally be conducted in phases, arguing that residents should appreciate receiving smaller portions of land rather than having no title deeds at all.
"The law allows land surveys to be conducted in phases. Let me assure you that these title deeds are genuine, and it is better to have an acre than to have nothing," she said.
She assured residents that the discrepancies would be addressed and urged them to keep the title deeds pending possible replacement.
Her remarks triggered an uproar, with residents demanding accountability and questioning the basis of the survey exercise.
Resident Joshua Kapote challenged the government's explanation, saying officials should acknowledge shortcomings in the process instead of dismissing residents' concerns.
He questioned how title deeds could be processed before surveyors completed mapping the affected parcels.
"How can title deeds be issued before the survey is completed? Where on earth has such a thing happened?" he posed.
Kapote said residents were unconvinced by the explanation that they could receive title deeds for only part of their land, with the remaining acreage to be surveyed and documented in subsequent phases.
Another resident, John Kasim, questioned how officials determined the acreage reflected in the title deeds without completing physical surveys.
He said some residents who received documents before their land was surveyed had hired private surveyors, only to discover that their parcels had allegedly been allocated in different locations, far from where they traditionally lived.
Meanwhile, Beja Munyika accused surveyors of disregarding President Ruto's earlier directive that land allocation should respect existing settlement patterns and ensure residents retain the parcels they have traditionally occupied alongside their neighbors.
"When President Ruto came here, he said he did not want secrecy and that the survey would be conducted based on how we have traditionally lived," he said.
He further accused surveyors of failing to explain how individual land sizes were determined without physically inspecting the parcels.
Resident Agnes Michael also urged the government to redeploy surveyors to the ground and conduct a fresh, transparent exercise that would satisfy all affected families.
She rejected the phased approach, insisting that residents wanted a comprehensive survey, while acknowledging the government's commitment to addressing historical land injustices.
Michael said the process must follow due diligence to ensure affected families receive justice.
Another resident, Hamisi Dena, questioned the legitimacy of the title deeds, arguing that documents arising from a flawed survey process could not be considered genuine.
Dena alleged that the title deeds were prepared before members of the area land committee were officially gazetted, contrary to legal requirements.
End
Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga addresses residents at Kasemeni in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Kasemeni residents led by Hamisi Dena brief the media at Kwanyanje in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County on Monday, November 9, 2026.
A resident, Rebeca Lengecha speaks in an interview at Kwanyanje in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County on Monday, November 9, 2026.
A section of residents attends a fact finding forum on land issues at Kwanyanje in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County on Monday, November 9, 2026.