By Andrew Kariuki

A couple has been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over an alleged land fraud scheme that saw a buyer lose Ksh2.4 million in a botched property deal in Ruiru.

The suspects, identified as 53-year-old Patrick Karimi Kamara and 50-year-old Alice Wanjiru Kanyoro, both secondary school teachers, were apprehended following investigations by the DCI headquarters’ Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU).

The case arose from a complaint lodged on behalf of a woman based in Denmark, who had entrusted her sister with purchasing a parcel of land in Mwihoko, within Ruiru Sub-County, for Ksh2.4 million.

According to investigators, the transaction appeared legitimate until the parties proceeded to Ardhi House to finalise the title transfer. It was at this stage that it emerged the land in question was registered to a different individual and did not belong to the purported sellers.

The discovery triggered a full investigation, which detectives say uncovered sufficient grounds to pursue criminal charges.

The case file was subsequently forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which reviewed the evidence and directed that the two be charged with obtaining money by false pretences.

The suspects are currently in custody undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment in court.

Authorities have reiterated the need for due diligence in land transactions, noting that such cases continue to expose vulnerabilities in property dealings.