The Deputy County Commissioner Murang’a South sub-county has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and exercise due diligence before engaging in land transactions.
This comes amid rising concerns over fraudulent individuals posing as legitimate owners, with victims incurring losses running into millions of shillings.
Speaking during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations in Maragua, the DCC Gitonga Murungi observed that the authorities had flagged the issue as an intricate web of deception, with impersonators using forged documents and elaborate schemes to defraud unsuspecting buyers.
The matter has drawn serious attention from the authorities and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, who are working tirelessly to unravel the syndicates and bring all the perpetrators to justice.
“If you intend to buy land and ask the seller to bring a land search, they will certainly produce one – but what you may not know is that it could be forged,” he said.
“Instead insist that the seller or landowner accompany you to the Land Control Board, which is the only authority that can give you the green light to proceed with a land purchase; otherwise you risk losing your money in a fraudulent sale.” He added.
The DCC noted that alarming things were happening and warned members of the public against such moves.
“Some buyers are even paying for land in cash and walking away without any evidence of payment; worse still, they do this even before sitting with the alleged landowner at the land control board,” he said.
Murungi emphasized that buyers should not pay more than ten percent of the land’s total value before appearing before the Land Control Board and that the full purchase should only be paid once the transfer process is fully complete and has gone through all legal and procedural approvals.
“Even then, ensure all payments are supported by proper documentation and verifiable evidence of purchase and payment,” he warned
Notably, the DCC observed that it is advisable for potential land buyers to visit the area chief before undertaking any land purchase, as the chief is often well informed about the local land status and can help verify whether the said parcel of land actually exists and who the rightful owner is.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation’s John Kanda has called on the members of the public to cooperate and volunteer any information that could help expose fraudsters or prevent others from falling victim to the land scams.
He revealed that in a major breakthrough over the weekend, one suspected fraudster who has been on the run after allegedly defrauding a buyer of over Sh10 million was tracked down and is currently in custody assisting with investigations.
“Your information could help others from being defrauded and assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
By Florence Kinyua
