Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has urged President William Ruto not to be distracted by political labels, as he defended the government’s development agenda during a title-deed issuance event in Kilifi County on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Kingi questioned the practical value of political slogans such as “Wantam” and “Kasongo”, asking whether they would translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Kenyans.
“Niambie wewe ‘Wantam’ itakujengea barabara lini? Itaongeza sufuria nyumbani? Ukimwita Mheshimiwa Ruto 'Kasongo’, itatusaidia nini sisi?” Kingi posed.
The remarks came during the government’s ongoing Coast tour, which has placed land ownership and the issuance of title deeds among its key areas of focus.
The government has announced plans to issue nearly 200,000 title deeds across the six Coast counties during the tour, with Kilifi allocated 36,826 titles.
The wider initiative is part of efforts to address longstanding land ownership challenges in the region.
Kingi, who previously served as the first governor of Kilifi County, said political references to Ruto by the nickname “Kasongo” would not change the support he believes the President receives from residents.
“Mtamwita ‘Kasongo’, mwiteni nani, sisi tutabaki na Kasongo wetu. Tutabaki na nini? Na kaka Kasongo kanatusaidia,” he said.
He further urged the President to remain focused despite the names used by his political opponents, while referring to the electoral contest scheduled for August 2027.
“Mheshimiwa Rais usijali kuitwa majina bana. Watakuita majina, watakuita nani.. Tarehe kumi mwezi wa nane, chuma wanacho,” Kingi said.
The “Wantam” slogan has featured prominently in Kenya’s political discourse ahead of the 2027 General Election, with its proponents calling for Ruto to serve one term. The President and his supporters have, in turn, challenged the opposition to focus on their policies and development agenda rather than political slogans.
During the tour, Ruto has said more than 300,000 title deeds are being targeted for issuance in the region, describing the initiative as part of his administration’s response to longstanding land disputes and insecurity of tenure.
The Coast has for decades faced complex land ownership challenges involving historical settlement schemes, squatters and residents who lack formal documentation for land they occupy.
In May, the government said it had issued more than 33,000 title deeds to Coast residents and was processing additional titles across the region.
The Kilifi event comes shortly after the Senate concluded a five-day sitting in the county under the Senate Mashinani programme, which brought parliamentary proceedings, committee hearings and public engagements closer to residents.
During that sitting, Kingi called on Kilifi residents to use the Senate’s presence in the county to present petitions and concerns directly to Parliament.
