A couple has been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters’ Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) over an alleged land fraud scheme involving an 8.35-acre parcel of land along Old Mombasa Road.
According to the DCI, the investigation was launched after the registered owner of the property reported suspected fraudulent activities affecting the land. Detectives commenced investigations to establish the legitimacy of competing ownership claims.
The inquiry revealed that Daimler Enterprises Limited had laid claim to the same parcel of land. However, investigators established that the property is lawfully registered in the complainant’s name, a position that was confirmed by the Ministry of Lands.
Further investigations found that the company’s claim was allegedly supported by a falsified grant and a forged title deed. Detectives concluded that the documents had been used in an apparent attempt to unlawfully acquire ownership of the property.
Following the completion of investigations, the case file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review. The ODPP subsequently directed that the company’s directors, John Mugo Njeru and Irima Mugo, be charged with several offences.
The charges include conspiracy to defraud, uttering a false document, and obtaining registration by false pretences, among other related offences.
The DCI confirmed that the two suspects were arrested on Tuesday and are currently in custody undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment in court.
In a statement, the investigative agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting property rights and tackling land-related fraud across the country.
The DCI warned that individuals involved in forging land documents, manipulating land records, or attempting to unlawfully dispossess legitimate property owners will continue to face legal action.
Land fraud remains one of Kenya’s persistent challenges, with authorities intensifying investigations into cases involving forged ownership documents and fraudulent land transactions.
The latest arrests underscore ongoing efforts by investigative agencies and prosecutors to address the vice and uphold the integrity of the country’s land registration system.
