Detectives have arrested a man accused of defrauding a land buyer of Sh900,000 in a scheme that underscores the persistent risks in Kenya’s property market.
In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said officers from its Land Fraud Investigations Unit apprehended the suspect, identified as Andrew Gachagua Njui, in Othaya, Nyeri County.
The arrest followed weeks of pursuit after the suspect allegedly went into hiding to evade court proceedings.
“Detectives from the DCI headquarters, Land Fraud Investigations Unit, have apprehended a cunning land fraudster who swindled an unsuspecting buyer out of Sh900,000,” the agency said.
According to investigators, the case began when a complainant reported being duped into purchasing a parcel of land in Molo. The buyer, convinced the transaction was genuine, paid the amount to Njui before conducting further verification.
“Fully convinced of the transaction’s authenticity, the complainant handed over Sh900,000 to Njui. However, the deception was unveiled when the victim conducted an official land search,” the DCI added.
The search revealed that the property in question did not belong to the suspect but was registered under a different individual, prompting a formal investigation.
Authorities stated that Njui had initially been arraigned in court, with the case scheduled for hearing on May 26, 2026, at the Principal Magistrate’s Court in Molo. However, he failed to appear, leading to the issuance of a warrant of arreso“The accused failed to attend court, resulting in the issuance of a warrant of arrest,” the DCI noted.
Detectives later tracked him to a hideout in the Giathege area of Othaya, where he was arrested following what the agency described as intelligence-led operations.
“Armed with reliable intelligence, detectives trailed the elusive suspect to his hideout in Giathege, where he was apprehended and taken into custody,” the statement said.
He is currently in custody undergoing processing ahead of his next court appearance.
The DCI warned that the case reflects the continued threat of land fraud in Kenya, urging the public to remain vigilant.
“This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against land fraud in our country, highlighting the critical need for vigilance when engaging in land transactions,” the agency said.