Kenyans rushing to buy land in Kajiado have been asked to be wary of dubious land deals that could land them in unending land ownership disputes.
This follows a land tussle that has emerged pitting Sacco members against each other and whom were dispossessed land worth Sh.4.5 Billion by one of their members.
The Sacco members from Emboliloi Group Ranch, Isinya in Kajiado County sent a stern warning to Kenyans after allegations emerged that one of their members had dupped them in a dubious land deal.
The 300 Sacco members revealed that the member allegedly changed the ownership of the 200 acres land they co-owned and registered it in his name.
According to the Sacco members, the individual was allegedly fraudulently issued the title deed of the land without their knowledge, abandoning the other 299 members.
They alleged that the member used illegal means and took the land documents to the county where the ownership was changed to his name.
The residents claim that the new owner is plotting to sell the land that is valued at Ksh4.5 billion without their consent.
"This is a warning, If you end up buying any piece of land from those selling under the Sacco's name you will be at fault because we are the owners and are not selling the land. If you get into any deal in this land, just be aware that you are losing," Richard Ole Tembe, a member of the Ranch Sacco warned.
The Sacco members have blamed the Kajiado County government of partnering with those trying to grab the land even as they maintained that they would fight for the ownership. They have challenged the governor Joseph Ole Lenku to intervene and ensure they get their land.
"The truth is that such ownership documents can only be acquired through the county. The county doesn't have any rights on this land because it is not county land but land belonging to the Sacco members," Peter Ole Meeli, the chairman of the Sacco group said.
On its part, the county government has denied having any knowledge and involvement with the land row. Kajiado Land Minister Hamilton Parsaini acknowledged that indeed there were attempts to change the ownership, but the county was able to stop it from happening.
"We were able to stop the transfer because they were subdivided in the name of an individual. Investigations are underway and those found guilty will be brought to book," Parsaini assured.
Contrary to the sentiments of the Sacco Members, Parsaini has clarified that the land does not belong to the community but to the county and so it was public land.
