This Blog Looks Into The Process of Conducting a Land Search Process in Kenya Before Committing to Buy A Piece of Land.
Unveiling Ownership: A Guide to Conducting a Land Search in Kenya
Why Conduct a Land Search?
Before committing your hard-earned money to a land deal, it is crucial to carry out your own due diligence about the piece of land you want to buy. It is important for you to know that the land buying process in Kenya is packed with endless fraudulent activities. In fact, many people have fallen victim to con schemes simply because they neglected the essential land search step in their process of buying land. Fortunately, Kenya has established a system for land registration, making it possible to verify ownership and other critical details.
Two Ways to Conduct a Land Search
- 1: Online Land Search via e-Citizen Portal:
- The Kenyan government initiated the digitization of land-related processes to eliminate middlemen and enhance transparency.
- Follow these steps for an online land search:
- 1:Sign up for an e-Citizen account (if you don’t have one already).
- 2:Log in to your account.
- 3:Navigate to the ‘Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning’ section.
- 4:Click on ‘Land Search’.
- 5:Enter the title deed number of the land you’re interested in.
- 6:Fill out the search form with the required details.
- 7:Make the payment using available methods (credit card, debit card, M-Pesa, or bank transfer).
- 8:View the search results through the online portal.
- 9:Optionally, print the results for your records.
- 2: Manual Land Search at the Local Ministry of Lands Offices:
- While digitization efforts are ongoing, you can still conduct a manual land search at the county level.
- Here’s how:
- 1:Gather the following documents:
- A copy of your ID.
- A copy of your KRA Pin certificate.
- A copy of the title deed.
- A filled search request form.
- 2:Visit the local Ministry of Lands office.
- 3:Submit the documents.
- 4:The office will provide you with the necessary information.
- 1:Gather the following documents:
Key Considerations:
- Verify Ownership: Confirm that the seller has the legal right to sell the land.
- Check for Encumbrances: Look for any existing charges, mortgages, or liens on the land.
- Unpaid Land Rates: Ensure there are no outstanding land rates associated with the property.
- Physical Verification: Visit the land physically to authenticate details.
- Conclusion
Conducting a land search is not just a legal requirement; it’s your shield against potential risks in the land buying process in Kenya. Whether you choose the online or manual method, unveil ownership before making any financial commitments.
