Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Lands Mohammed Hussein has called for calm, sober dialogue in addressing the county’s long-standing land challenges, warning against emotional approaches to what he described as a highly sensitive issue.

Speaking during a consultative meeting organised by Sauti ya Makao, Hussein said land issues require wisdom and patience, noting that they have persisted for decades.

“Let us not handle land issues with emotions. We need sobriety and wisdom because this is a very sensitive issue that has faced us for a very long time,” he said.

Hussein noted that land disputes vary from one area to another and cannot be resolved using a blanket approach, citing Kwa Bulo and Mbuyu wa Chapa as examples.

"The problem at Kwa Bulo is not the same problem at Mbuyu wa Chapa, so we must face these issues with care. We cannot keep using the same formula we have used before because it has not brought solutions,” he stated.

The Lands CEC emphasized that dialogue and adherence to the law remain central to resolving land ownership disputes, urging residents to reject leaders who fuel divisions for personal gain.

"Solutions can only be found through dialogue. We must avoid people who divide us for their own gain, and we also have laws that govern land ownership which must be followed, even when people do not want to hear the truth,” Hussein said.

The meeting brought together land owners, key stakeholders, civil society organisations and Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki, as discussions also focused on emerging challenges such as houses built without land ownership.

Hussein said the county has taken proactive steps through the Ardhi Fund initiative.

"We have to acknowledge there is a problem that needs a solution that will make life easier for the coming generations. As a county government, we saw this problem and that is why we started the Ardhi Fund. We must either find solutions or continue blaming each other,” he said.