Ministry of Lands officials among seven arrested over fake land titles scheme
According to the prosecution, the suspects are accused of being part of a ring that created fake land documents by stealing government supplies used for printing official documents.
A fraudulent scheme involving fake land titles has led to the arrest of seven suspects, including senior officials from the Ministry of Lands.
Authorities say the suspects stole official documents, which were then forged and recorded in government registries, leading to financial losses for legitimate landowners.
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On Wednesday, a court in Milimani, Nairobi heard that the suspects were involved in a widespread scam, creating counterfeit land documents, including title deeds, allotment letters and certificates of lease.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi granted police permission to detain the suspects for 10 days to allow investigators to complete their probe into the allegations.
The suspects are identified as Dan Odero Okoth, Emmanuel Mutuku Matheka, Nicholas Mukuna Muyela, Livingstone Ambayi Munala, Kennedy Mulatya, Paul Mungai Kimani and Leonard Clifford Wafula.
“I find that the prosecution has established that there is ample evidence to warrant the detention of the suspects,” Magistrate Ndombi ruled after hearing the prosecution’s request for more time.
According to the prosecution, the suspects are accused of being part of a ring that created fake land documents by stealing government supplies used for printing official documents.
The stolen documents were allegedly used by forgers to create counterfeit land titles, which were then entered into both digital and manual land registries, leading to the defrauding of unsuspecting landowners.
“The suspects are allegedly involved in forgeries of some…documents, which include letters of allotment, deed plans, certificates of titles, certificates of leases, transfer of land documents, indentures, among others,” the prosecution said in court.
Okoth and Matheka, both senior officials from the Ministry of Lands, are accused of facilitating the theft of government documents before handing them over to land brokers like Muyela, who operated a hotel near the Survey of Kenya.
Muyela, according to the prosecution, allegedly helped retrieve physical file contents and facilitated the filing of forged documents through Matheka.
“Our intelligence has established that he (Muyela) resides in Dandora, Nairobi County,” investigating officer Nicolaus Osuri told the court.
The prosecution also claims that Munala, a key player in the scheme, assisted in sourcing and printing counterfeit land documents, which were then filed into the Ministry of Lands’ registries to appear authentic. Munala is accused of working with unidentified individuals to forge signatures and backdate documents, making them appear legitimate.
“Munala is working with other unidentified individuals, who forge lands officials’ signatures, registrar stamps, and backdates the documents to appear genuine,” the prosecutor said.
Mulatya, another suspect, is accused of printing fake land documents alongside Munala. He allegedly worked with Munala to forge allotment letters, title deed plans, certificates of titles, transfers, and indentures, among other documents. Kimani is said to have supplied printing paper to individuals involved in processing the forged land documents.
Wafula, an Administration Police officer, is accused of supplying government stores used in the production of the fraudulent documents.
“Together with others, the suspects forge official stamps and signatures, especially for retired civil servants and deceased former staff of the State Department of Lands and Physical Planning,” Osuri told the court.
The prosecution has requested an extension of detention for 14 days to allow police to search several locations linked to the fraudulent operation.
Investigators plan to visit residential and office blocks in Kamulu, Tena Estate, Dandora, Obama Estate, Marurui, Kirinyaga Road, Terry House-Ground Floor, Umoja Estate and Njepark Apartment, House No. 3D in Umoja Innercore, where they expect to seize documents, laptops, and other relevant materials.
Defence lawyer Felix Keaton opposed the 14-day detention request, urging the court to grant bail, stating that the suspects’ right to bail had not been adequately challenged.
The matter will be mentioned on April 11, 2025, for further directions.
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