Land-selling companies in Kenya have come under increased scrutiny after a US-based agency released a list of real estate firms it has urged Kenyans in the diaspora not to buy property from, while also identifying companies it considers safe for investment.
According to Poll Arena, the findings are based on numerous complaints from Kenyans living abroad who have, over time, reported being conned by several real estate firms.
The agency says it has so far blacklisted about 12 well-known realtors and plans to submit the names of their managers to the US Embassy, urging authorities to consider denying them entry into the United States.
At the same time, Poll Arena says it will soon release a list of companies it believes are credible and safe for investors seeking to purchase property in Kenya.
The development comes as a relief to many Kenyans, especially those living and working abroad, as the real estate sector has for years faced accusations of fraud and conmanship.
Many diaspora investors have recounted painful experiences in which they lost millions of shillings through fraudulent property deals. Some claim to have been defrauded by rogue property firms, while others have fallen victim to individuals who took advantage of their absence to interfere with or illegally acquire their properties.
According to the agency, fraudsters often exploit the physical distance and emotional attachment many Kenyans abroad have to owning property back home. Common schemes include the sale of non-existent off-plan projects, the use of forged title deeds, and the double sale of land to multiple buyers.
The agency further noted that some companies invest heavily in advertising campaigns to attract customers, only for investors to later discover they have lost their hard-earned money.
In recent years, media reports have been awash with complaints from Kenyans who say they lost substantial amounts of money through questionable real estate transactions.
For instance, a lady by the name Wangeshi from Olympia Seattle Washington is one victims who one time lost about 1.8 million in a land deal in Kitengela.
Wangeshi says that despite paying the amount till today she has never received the title deed.
Wangeshi’s case is not isolated. We have thousands who have similar narratives.
Despite repeated exposure, some of the firms continue to operate by changing company names or having directors move to new entities while maintaining the same business practices.
Poll Arena says its initiative is aimed at protecting Kenyans in the diaspora from property scams and promoting greater accountability within the country’s real estate sector.
