Buying land in Kenya: the checks that matter

Before committing to a plot, confirm the title particulars at the relevant land registry and match them against the seller's identity documents. In Kenya this increasingly means using Ardhisasa (ardhisasa.lands.go.ke) for an official search, not only a photocopy of a title deed.

Request a recent official search, confirm rates and land rent are clear, and verify the plot boundaries on site with a licensed surveyor. Where the land sits within an approved scheme, ask for the approved subdivision plan and confirm the access roads shown on it exist on the ground.

Agree the payment structure in writing through an advocate, and only release the balance once the transfer documents are lodged. Avoid paying large deposits in cash or to personal accounts without a formal agreement.

Common risk areas include double allocation, forged titles, unpaid rates, and plots that look larger on the ground than on the survey plan. Property Masters can help you shortlist land for sale in Kitengela, Kiambu and other growth corridors, but independent legal and survey checks remain essential.

If you are buying from abroad, use a trusted advocate, insist on video or in-person boundary confirmation, and never skip the registry search because of time pressure.