By Dorothy Musyoka
Over 500 victims have come forward seeking justice after allegedly being defrauded in a massive land fraud scheme involving Lesedi Developers Ltd.
The scandal, which has drawn significant public attention, centers around the company’s director, Geoffrey Kahungi Kiragu, who is accused of swindling unsuspecting buyers out of millions of shillings in fraudulent land transactions.
The Land Fraud Investigation Unit (LFIU) has been investigating Lesedi Developers Ltd after an initial 360 complainants reported that they had been deceived into purchasing land parcels purportedly available for legal transfer under Thika Municipality Block 40/2414.
“The land selling company has in the past gotten into headwinds with Detectives from the Land Fraud Investigation Unit in a case where 360 complainants reported that Geoffrey Kahungi Kiragu, the Director of Lesedi Developers Limited, deceived them into paying for land parcels that he claimed could be transferred from a legitimate title deed in Thika Municipality Block 40/2414. Each plot measured 40 by 80 feet and was priced at Sh350,000,” stated the DCI.
According to the Directororate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), buyers were lured in through site visits organized by Lesedi Developers Ltd, where they were allowed to select plots already marked with beacons.
The victims entered into individual sale agreements, with promises of receiving title deeds within three months a commitment that was never fulfilled.
When they later revisited the sites, they found the beacons missing, raising alarm over the legitimacy of their purchases.
“After making payments, they were promised title deeds within three months, which never materialized. Upon revisiting the plots, the victims discovered that the beacons were missing,” noted the DCI.
Following investigations, LFIU detectives recommended that Lesedi Developers Ltd and Geoffrey Kahungi Kiragu be jointly charged with Obtaining Money by False Pretenses.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved the charges and granted consent to prosecute.
While the case was ongoing in court, Geoffrey Kahungi, through his defense counsel, sought an out-of-court settlement with complainants, a request that was granted by the court.
As a result, 69 complainants are set to receive their title deeds after the court ordered the subdivision of Thika Municipality Block 40/2643 on February 17, 2025.
Meanwhile, detectives are finalizing investigations into an additional 500 victims who have since come forward with similar complaints.
Authorities have issued a public warning against Bomalink Concept Ltd, a company closely linked to Geoffrey Kahungi Kiragu.
“Members of the public are thereby warned of transacting with Bomalink Concept Ltd, a company closely related to Kahungi that has been found to be dealing with the same properties that had been sold to unsuspecting members of the public by Lesedi Developers Ltd,” cautioned the DCI.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice for victims of land fraud, urging members of the public to exercise due diligence before engaging in land transactions.