Foreigners will no longer be allowed to hold freehold land title deeds in Kenya, Lands, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has said.

Speaking at the Muyeye Health Centre in Malindi town during the handover of a Ksh 48 million maternity wing constructed by her ministry, Wahome directed that all freehold titles held by foreigners be surrendered and converted into 99-year leasehold titles.

The CS clarified that while the government has no intention of dispossessing foreigners of land they legally acquired, any freehold title deed held by a foreigner will no longer be valid for transactions.

“The Constitution of Kenya 2010 allows only Kenyans to hold freehold titles, while foreigners are restricted to leases of 99 years or less,” said Wahome.

“Therefore, I declare here in Malindi that those titles should not be transacted or used in land registries. If you are not a Kenyan, you cannot have a freehold title.”

She emphasized that the directive is not a declaration of hostility towards foreigners but rather an enforcement of constitutional provisions, noting that some individuals had been misled into acquiring freehold titles.

Wahome further warned corrupt land registry officials engaging in fraudulent dealings with land titles, particularly in the Coast region, to desist or face prosecution.

She underscored the government’s commitment to reclaiming any public or illegally acquired private land.

During the same event, Wahome announced the opening of a newly constructed land registry in Malindi, which will serve residents of Malindi and Magarini sub-counties, previously reliant on services in Kilifi town.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, who was also present, pledged Ksh 45 million to equip the new maternity wing and unveiled plans to transform the Muyeye Health Centre into a women’s hospital.

“We will demolish the old buildings and replace them with modern facilities,” Mung’aro stated. “Once fully equipped, this facility will be renamed the Mekatilili wa Menza Memorial Women’s Hospital after public participation.”

The governor also announced plans to introduce a Geographic Information System (GIS) to monitor county projects and put rogue contractors and officials under strict scrutiny to prevent the implementation of fictitious projects.

The event was attended by Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott, Malindi MP Amina Laura Mnyazi and other leaders. By Beth Nyaga, KBC