A multi-agency crackdown has uncovered a land fraud syndicate operating within government institutions, leading to the arrest of four officials suspected of forging land ownership documents to defraud unsuspecting property owners.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the four officials were among eight suspects arrested in the coordinated operation that was launched on March 28th.
“Following intelligence received about individuals engaging in land fraud by forging land ownership documents and other government-related documents with the intent to defraud innocent members of the public of their parcels of land, authorities have conducted a multi-agency crackdown that has brought into custody several suspects,” said the DCI.
Dan Adero Okoth, an assistant security officer at the Ministry of Lands – Survey of Kenya, Emmanuel Matheka Mutuku, a casual laborer at Ardhi House – Nairobi, Patrice Josaya Tumbo, a known land broker, and Leonard Clifford Wafula, a printer at the Government Press were among the suspects nabbed by DCI sleuths.
Livingstone Ambai Munala (aged 44), Nicholas Mukuna Ayela, Paul Muigai Kimani, and Kennedy Mulatya are the other suspects. Each member of the syndicate was arrested in a separate operation.
The officials, who held key positions in agencies responsible for land records and document processing, allegedly used their access to manipulate land ownership details, forge title deeds, and facilitate fraudulent property transactions. Investigators believe the syndicate was behind multiple cases where genuine landowners lost their property to fraudsters using fake documents.
“Raid in their premises led to the discovery of multiple assorted land documents belonging to different individuals, including dozens of plain and original title deeds, 287 assorted stamps, blank grant titles and allotment letters, 11 unused green cards, 101 passport size photos for different individuals, certificates of titles, numerous transfer documents among other evidential materials,” said the DCI.
“The suspects have been promptly arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, where detectives have been granted additional time to complete investigations and pursue other suspects linked to this fraud scheme,” added the DCI.
The crackdown comes amid rising cases of land fraud, where fake document bearers have illegally sold or developed properties belonging to legitimate landowners. Authorities have pledged to intensify efforts to dismantle such networks and restore integrity within the land sector.
