By Harrison Wanzallah
A group of land buyers, predominantly from the diaspora, has called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to launch a formal investigation into an alleged scam linked to a land-buying and selling company reportedly associated with former Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera. The buyers claim they were deceived into purchasing non-existent parcels of land within Thika Greens Investment Limited, a company they allege is connected to Nyakera.
In letters addressed to the company, several aggrieved investors have demanded refunds, accusing the firm of providing evasive responses and failing to deliver the promised land titles. “We’ve been taken in circles,” one buyer stated, echoing the frustration of others who say their attempts to secure either the land or their money have been met with delays and excuses.
The buyers allege that Nyakera operates through a point person in Thika, identified only as Ken, who has repeatedly stalled their efforts to resolve the matter. Determined to seek justice, the group has vowed to escalate the case to the DCI’s specialized Land Fraud Unit, hoping to uncover the truth behind what they describe as a calculated scheme.
Nyakera, a prominent figure who served as Principal Secretary for Transport under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, also held the position of Managing Director of Equity Investment at Equity Bank earlier in his career. His involvement in the alleged scam has raised eyebrows, given his high-profile background in both public service and the private sector.
Efforts to reach Nyakera and Ken for comment proved futile, as their mobile phones went unanswered at the time of publication. The allegations come amid a growing wave of complaints from land buyers across Kenya, many of whom have fallen victim to fraudulent schemes orchestrated by individuals posing as legitimate property sellers. Millions of shillings have been lost in such scams, with hotspot areas including Ruiru, Juja, Kitengela, Athi River, Malaa, Kantafu, and Joska frequently cited. In a disturbing trend, some perpetrators have been reported to masquerade as religious figures—pastors and bishops—to exploit the trust of unsuspecting buyers.
As the DCI faces mounting pressure to act, this case underscores the vulnerability of diaspora investors and the urgent need for stricter oversight in Kenya’s land market.
