It has emerged that scores of residents trying to purchase parcels of land in parts of Makuyu of Murang’a have fallen into hands of fraudsters.
Some unscrupulous land selling companies have emerged purporting that they are selling parcels of land shelved on a farm owned by a Kakuzi horticultural company located in Makuyu.
On Tuesday, Kimorori/Wempa MCA Amos Murigi observed that scores of people trying to own land have lost their money to the fraudsters who have established offices at Kenol market in Murang’a south.
Speaking during an occasion where the Kakuzi Company donated desks to two schools in the area, Murigi called management of Kakuzi explain if it has contracted some firms to sell the land on their behalf.
“There are many fraudsters out there who are purporting to sell land on behalf of Kakuzi. These conmen have defrauded many people of their money,” said Murigi at Gathungururu primary school.
He stated that criminal elements were hoodwinking unsuspecting buyers that there was a portion of land under Kakuzi on sale.
Murigi detailed how a man who had lived in the USA was conned of more than Sh12 million in said the land purchase deal. He called upon the police to conduct investigations into the emerging scam, saying the victim was unable to return to the USA.
Kakuzi Assistant general manager of corporate affairs Dr. Wilson Odiyo confirmed that the company has not put any parts of its land for sale and cautioned those intending to buy land not to fall prey to fraudsters adding the company will cooperate with security agents and tame those behind the unscrupulous business.
Murang’a County Commissioner Mr. Mohamed Barre asked residents to get the right information before buying land or anything else. He said a company like Kakuzi cannot sell its land through proxies and people should avoid rushing to invest their money in fake deals.
“When one wants to invest in land, he should do thorough investigation about the ownership of the parcel of land. I have not heard about Kakuzi selling part of its land, be careful of conmen who work up, put posters or even make announcements in radios about land they are selling,” warned the commissioner.
Locals and even people out of Murang’a County, have been eager to get part of the company’s land once its lease expires but the management of Kakuzi have revealed the process of renewing its land lease is in progress.
By Bernard Munyao
