Caveat Emptor: Here Is The New Trick Used To Steal Homes In Nairobi

Fresh details have emerged on how a well-connected cartel has been using a simple but dangerous trick to grab land from Nairobi families.

The cartel involves corrupt businessmen who are aided by corrupt government officials at the Ministry of Lands and at the Nairobi City County. Main victims of the cartel are members of the Asian community who own property in Westlands, Parklands, and other parts of Nairobi.

 The current occupiers are mainly descendants of the initial purchasers of the property – some of it having been bought as early as 1900. The cartel has been taking advantage of the fact that most of the 99-year old leases issued to the first purchasers are expiring, and some of the current owners are unaware as no notice is given to them.

 The businessmen are able to use their links at the Ministry of Lands and City Hall such that they are well aware of any property whose lease has expired or is about to expire. Legally, once a lease has expired, the owner loses legal claim to the property and the vicious cartel then starts making claim to the land. "Small notices (inviting views from interested parties), which are very easy to miss, are placed in the (news)papers," Parklands MCA Jaffer Kassam revealed. Victims miss the notices and the crook proceeds to pay the conveyance charge which ranges between Sh1250 and Sh5000.

 After paying the meagre sum, the fraudsters are able to acquire prime property whose actual worth is in the millions. Through this scheme, nearly 20 prime properties in Nairobi's Parklands area alone worth about Sh1 Billion have been grabbed.

 However, there is hope for victims as they can move the court since the law states that initial owners will get first priority while renewing the lease.

Credit:kenyans.co.ke