Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a director of Celestial Trade (K) Limited over an alleged land fraud scheme involving a disputed parcel of land in Kahawa West, Kiambu County.

In a statement, the DCI said Denis Okioyi Moseti, one of the company’s directors, was apprehended by officers from the Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) following investigations into the ownership of a 40.46-hectare parcel of land.

The investigations were launched after complainants reported to the DCI headquarters, claiming they were the lawful owners of the land, which they said they had acquired directly from the government.

According to the DCI, the dispute arose after Celestial Trade (K) Limited presented a deed plan laying claim to approximately 6.79 hectares of the property.

Investigators established that the deed plan relied upon by the company had allegedly been obtained fraudulently.

Following the investigations, the case file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which directed that the company’s directors be charged with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, and obtaining registration by false pretences.

Moseti was arrested on Tuesday at Ankara Hotel in Nairobi’s Central Business District and is being held in police custody pending his arraignment in court.

The DCI said detectives are also verifying reports that the company’s two other directors are deceased before making the appropriate recommendations to the ODPP and the court.

The agency said the case underscores its continued efforts through the Land Fraud Investigations Unit to combat land fraud and safeguard the property rights of legitimate landowners.