President William Ruto has begun an eight-day development tour of Kenya’s Coast region, with the issuance of nearly 200,000 title deeds and the groundbreaking of the proposed East Africa Refinery in Lamu among the major highlights. The tour, which commenced on September 26, 2026, covers Taita-Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Tana River and Lamu counties. The President is expected to inspect ongoing government projects, commission completed developments and engage residents and local leaders on regional priorities.
A major focus of the tour is the distribution of land ownership documents under the government’s plan to issue 500,000 title deeds across the Coast region. The programme seeks to address longstanding land ownership disputes, squatter challenges and administrative difficulties that have affected communities for decades. Formal land documentation is expected to provide beneficiaries with greater security of tenure and opportunities to use their property for investment, development and other economic activities.
In Taita-Taveta County, Ruto is scheduled to issue 31,318 title deeds to residents of Mwatate and Voi constituencies. Kwale County is expected to receive 94,175 documents for beneficiaries in Lunga Lunga, Msambweni and Kinango, while Kilifi has been allocated 36,826 title deeds covering five constituencies. Mombasa will receive 4,360 documents, with another 22,770 earmarked for residents of Lamu and Tana River counties.
The land distribution programme is particularly significant for communities that have experienced prolonged uncertainty over ownership and settlement rights. The issuance of title deeds is intended to formalise ownership and enable beneficiaries to make productive use of their land, including property development and investment. The implementation of the programme will remain important in addressing outstanding disputes and ensuring that legitimate land ownership rights are respected across the region.
The other major highlight of the Coast tour is the proposed $16 billion (approximately KSh2 trillion) East Africa Refinery in Lamu, which is being developed in partnership with Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote. The President is expected to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, marking a major step in the planned expansion of Kenya’s petroleum processing and industrial capacity. The refinery is designed to process approximately 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The refinery is expected to process crude from Lokichar in Turkana County, alongside supplies from other parts of East Africa, Southern Africa and international markets. Its planned output will include refined petroleum products for domestic consumption and regional export markets. According to the government, the facility is intended to strengthen Kenya’s energy security by improving the reliability of petroleum supplies and reducing dependence on imported refined fuel.
The project is also projected to create more than 60,000 jobs and stimulate investment in supporting industries, including petroleum storage, transport, logistics, chemicals, fertiliser production and packaging. Its development could expand economic opportunities in Lamu and the wider Coast region while supporting Kenya’s industrialisation ambitions. However, the refinery’s long-term impact will depend on financing, construction, reliable crude supplies and the development of the necessary infrastructure.
As the tour continues across the six counties, Ruto is expected to review government programmes and engage local communities on infrastructure, land ownership, energy and other development priorities. The distribution of title deeds addresses immediate land-related concerns, while the proposed Lamu refinery represents a long-term investment in petroleum processing and regional trade. The implementation of these initiatives will be central to determining their contribution to employment, energy security and economic development across the Coast region.
