Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has strongly defended the county's Ardhi Fund initiative, saying it was established to address historical land ownership challenges that have persisted since independence.

Speaking during a church service at Faith Victory Church in Junda, Kisauni Sub-County, the governor dismissed criticism surrounding the programme, arguing that those opposed to it had failed to offer viable alternatives to resolve the land question affecting thousands of residents.

"The Ardhi Fund was started because of the challenges that we have been facing since independence on matters of land," said Nassir. "Some people are going round criticising it without offering any solution, but that is what life is."

The governor maintained that criticism would not deter his administration from implementing the programme, noting that the debate surrounding the fund was evidence that it was making an impact.

"I will not stop them from talking. In fact, them talking means it is working," he said.

Nassir pointed out that several residents had already benefited from the initiative through the acquisition of title deeds, describing the programme as a practical solution to longstanding land ownership disputes in the county.

"We have residents who have already received title deeds. I am doing this for my people, and no one is going to stop us," he stated.

The governor further accused some of the fund's critics of engaging in negative politics and urged them to focus on presenting their own development agenda to the public.

"To the naysayers, let us stop selling hatred to our people and instead sell your agenda. Let the people decide what is best for them," he said.

The Ardhi Fund is among the county government's flagship interventions aimed at helping residents acquire land ownership documents and addressing historical land injustices that have affected many families across Mombasa.

Nassir reiterated his administration's commitment to ensuring more residents secure title deeds, saying land ownership remains a key pillar in empowering communities economically and socially.