How land cartels con Kenyans
Frustrated in his search for a plot in Karen for reasons discussed last week, my friend Ben was shown another in Runda and drove me there for an opinion. I shot a series of questions.
“Did you know that this plot fronts the Northern Bypass? Do you want such a feature for a neighbour? Did the owner appear to know his neighbours? Was he accompanied by anyone and if so, who? Was he self driven? Do you notice it stood vacant surrounded by developed ones for long?” The questions didn’t make sense till I explained.
One, now that you know about the fronting bypass, the associated nuisance informs, I told Ben. And if the owner appeared not to know his neighbours, that’s curious. And if he was in the company of spouse or relative, that helps forwards. And if he walked in or arrived by taxi to show a plot in Runda, raise a flag.
At this juncture I informed Ben that there has been a cartel of “phantom land owners” on the sprawl in the country. They specialise in identifying plots and houses that are vacant for long or those belonging to the dead. They then show up and offer them for sale to unsuspecting buyers.
They are thorough, callous and well connected. They have conned several people out of their money, land or houses. Places like Lavington, Embakasi, Thome, Donholm and Eastleigh have been hardest hit. Almost unbelievable but it works. I personally bought one such plot and I lost my money.
Well moneyed, the cartel buys its way through any government office and obtains supportive documents. Where owner signatures are needed, these are forged. Because they retain original records, Lands offices attract the highest premiums. Original records are removed and destroyed. That done, such properties stand conveniently sold out and transferred. And the cartel moves on.
Ben shook. I advised him not to place any deposit before we “audited” the purported “owner.” I also advised him to discretely take his photograph and know his house or office. I also explained that owners with plots in posh places like Runda and Muthaiga drive and do not walk.
In their next scheduled meeting at Hurlingham, I advised him to watch out for aspects that didn’t add up. And true, the “owner” arrived from a side path. He also blurted out that he was allocated the plot when he used to work in the City Council.
I later pointed out that these were clear signs of trouble. Runda plots did not originate from the City Council. They were privately owned. Two days later, Ben shared with his working colleague, mentioning names of the owners as noted on the original search.
“But Ben I know that man. And he died. And the wife is overseas”, his colleague quickly shot back. Spot on luck. I was taken aback too. Well, Ben disengaged forthwith. Much wiser now, he later made an excellent choice of plot elsewhere. He counts himself lucky to date.
Some of those who live in “safe” neighbourhoods travel and leave their houses unoccupied for long periods. They are courting trouble. These are prime targets. Others buy houses, land or plots and rent or leave them vacant without showing their spouses, children or relatives while alive.
This cartel will sell such properties once the owners pass on. Owners please beware; ensure your property is safe while away and that somebody quite close knows the physical location of your houses, land or plots for ease of follow up should you drop dead.
mwathane@landsca.co.ke If you are going to be thinking only one thing, you might as well be thinking big. -Donald J . Trump