Mwaruma raises alarm over land and failing ambulances in Taita Taveta
By Faith Lagat, August 5, 2025Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma has, on August 5, 2025, tabled critical concerns in the Senate, spotlighting land disputes, mismanagement of a county water rig, and ailing ambulance services.
His remarks paint a picture of systemic failure in the coastal county, where unmet promises on land and water access continue to dominate local frustrations and political rhetoric.
Land injustices persist
Mwaruma warned that more than 4,000 residents in Pipeline, Msharinyi, Wagalaland, and Miasenyi villages risk displacement due to irregular title deed allocations. He cited parcels 3101 to 3129, which he claimed were allocated unlawfully and fell outside the Maungu Bughuta settlement scheme.
“The issuance of these titles was unlawful. The Lands Ministry must revoke them and hold the responsible officers accountable,” read a part of the Parliament of Kenya’s post on Facebook.
Land ownership in Taita Taveta remains a contentious issue, echoing long-standing injustices across the Coast region. Many locals remain squatters on ancestral land, a legacy of colonial-era laws like the 1908 Land Titles Ordinance.
Despite constitutional provisions such as Article 160 that allow unutilised public land to be allocated to squatters, implementation has been slow. Civil society actors argue that land reforms are routinely politicised during campaigns and abandoned afterward.
Water rig mystery
The senator also called for transparency over the status of a county-owned water drilling rig. “What was the cost of the rig? Who supplied it, and where has it been drilled so far?” Mwaruma asked.
Taita Taveta continues to struggle with water access, a problem mirrored across other coastal counties. In neighbouring Mombasa, over 60 per cent of piped water is lost due to leakage and illegal diversions, fuelling a thriving water cartel business. Residents have grown weary of repeated pledges to fix the crisis, such as former Governor Hassan Joho’s 2013 promise to ensure water for all.
Failing ambulances
Mwaruma further raised alarm over delays in emergency response due to malfunctioning ambulances. He sought clarity on the number of ambulances available, their conditions, and where they are stationed. Reports suggest many of the county’s eight ambulances are grounded, undermining service delivery and worsening maternal and child health outcomes.
As the 2027 elections approach, the senator’s push for investigations reflects mounting pressure for leaders to act. Political analyst Hassan Mwakimako warns that unless Kenya’s governance culture shifts, core issues like land, water, and health will continue to be recycled as empty campaign promises.