Buying land around Nairobi: a due-diligence checklist
From the official search to the survey map, the checks to make before you pay a deposit on a plot, and the questions worth asking the seller.
By Violet Muthui1 min read
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Land is still one of the most popular ways to invest in Kenya, and one of the easiest to get wrong. A few careful checks before you pay anything will protect your money and save you years of disputes.
1. Start with the title
Ask the seller for a copy of the title deed, then have your advocate carry out an official search at the Ministry of Lands (for Nairobi, through the Ardhisasa platform). The search confirms who the registered owner is, the size of the land, and whether there are charges, cautions or restrictions against it.
2. Walk the land with a surveyor
Compare the plot on the ground with the survey map. A licensed surveyor can confirm the beacons and boundaries, and check that the access road you were shown actually serves the plot.
3. Confirm the seller
- Their ID and KRA PIN should match the name on the title.
- If a company is selling, ask for its current list of directors.
- Where the land is family or matrimonial property, the right consents are needed.
4. Check what you can build
Ask the county about zoning and approvals for what you plan to build. Agricultural land may need consent from the Land Control Board before it can be transferred.
5. Clear the rates
A rates clearance certificate from the county shows there are no unpaid land rates that would become your problem.
6. Put everything in writing
Use a sale agreement drafted by your own advocate, and pay the deposit through the advocate rather than to the seller directly. Budget for stamp duty, legal fees and transfer costs on top of the price.
Every plot I list comes with clear title information, and I'm happy to walk you through each of these steps.
