Residents Call For Probe Into Alleged Nakuru Land Registry Fraud
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has previously warned that organised groups use forged title deeds and certificates of lease to obtain money from landowners while pretending they can process documents through government registries.
By Elijah Cherutich
A group of Nakuru residents has called for investigations into alleged fraudulent land transactions involving individuals who claim to have connections with officials at the Nakuru Land Registry.
The residents alleged that the individuals solicit money from landowners by promising to fast-track title deeds, land searches, transfers and other official documents, but later issue questionable documents or fail to complete the services.
They appealed to Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Generali Nixon Korir to investigate the claims and take administrative action against any officers found to be working with brokers or fraudulent intermediaries.
Gladys Wandera, one of the residents, urged security and investigative agencies to examine the complaints, saying decisive action was needed to protect landowners from financial losses and possible loss of property.
She said some residents were vulnerable to individuals promising faster services, particularly when they encountered delays in processing ownership documents, transfers, searches and other registry transactions.
Florence Jepkorir, a local woman leader, warned that fraudulent transactions could leave families facing prolonged court disputes, financial losses and uncertainty over ownership of land acquired through inheritance, purchase or subdivision.
The residents also welcomed what they described as recent administrative changes at the registry, saying stronger supervision could help eliminate brokers who allegedly demand unofficial payments from people seeking government services.
The ministry says an official land search enables buyers and owners to confirm the registered proprietor and identify charges, cautions, restrictions or other encumbrances before proceeding with a transaction.
Land transfers must be formally registered and supported by properly executed transfer instruments, ownership records and evidence that the required government fees and taxes have been paid.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has previously warned that organised groups use forged title deeds and certificates of lease to obtain money from landowners while pretending they can process documents through government registries.
The DCI’s Land Fraud Investigations Unit investigates offences including forged titles, fraudulent registration of ownership documents, interference with land records and abuse of office involving land transactions.
However, the residents’ allegations have not been independently verified, and no official findings linking officers at the Nakuru registry to the alleged transactions were available at the time of publication.
Landowners have been advised to conduct official searches, verify documents directly with the relevant registry, demand receipts for all payments and report suspected forgery, bribery or fraudulent registration to investigative agencies.
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