How to avoid being conned while buying land in Kenya

1. Ask to see the title deed or copy of title deed. Then do a search at the ministry of Lands to confirm who the real owners are or if the title has any caveat on it. The search will cost you ksh 520.
2. Do a search with the local authorities to check of any unpaid land rates. If any, agree with the seller on who will settle the debt. Nb: land can’t be transferred if there are unpaid land rates.
3. Go to the ministry of Lands and buy two maps, one showing the exact measurements of the piece you are buying (called mutation) and the other showing the neighbouring lands. Each costs Ksh 350.
4. With your two maps and a surveyor (you can even do it yourself), visit the land you are buying and verify the details on the map. Check out all the beacons.
5. Sit down with your seller and bargain the price. Write down an agreement. The agreement can be done before a lawyer or you may decide to do it yourself. It’s not a must to be written by a lawyer.
6. According to Law Society of Kenya (LSK), if the value of the land is below Ksh 1 million, you pay the lawyer Ksh 3,000. If above Ksh 1 million, you pay Ksh 8,000 for the agreement. The spouse MUST BE present! Ask me why the spouse must be present. Pay some amounts or as per your agreement. Don’t pay everything, hata kama unazo pesa.
7.  Book a meeting with the Lands Control Board (LCB). They meet once a month. It will cost you Ksh 1,000. But there is a special LCB meeting which you can book at Ksh 5,000. LCB will issue consent for the land to be sold.
8.  Pay the remaining balance after getting consent from LCB.
9. With the consent from LCB, a recent search (not more than six months), clearance form from County land rates, your two maps, the agreement, KRA PIN, two passport size photos and copy of the title deed, go to the ministry of lands to change ownership. Cost Ksh 5,000.

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10. At this stage, you no longer need the seller. Now go and pay stamp duty i.e according to the value of the land. 4% of sale value; in municipalities 2%.

Story credit: Lewis Karanja/Dhabiti