Frequently Asked Questions

Conduct an official land search through Ardhisasa (ardhisasa.lands.go.ke), Kenya’s digital land registry. Create an account, enter the parcel number, and pay KES 500 via M-Pesa. You’ll receive a search certificate showing the registered owner, property size, and any encumbrances like mortgages or court orders.

For areas not yet on Ardhisasa, visit the county land registry in person and submit Form RL 26. Processing takes one to three business days.

Never rely on a physical title deed alone — forgeries exist. An official search is the only definitive verification.

The most dangerous scams include:

Double-selling — the same property sold to multiple buyers before any transfer is registered.
Fake title deeds — forged documents with convincing stamps and watermarks.
Impersonation fraud — someone poses as the rightful owner using forged identification.
Ghost plots — land that exists on paper but is government-owned, road reserve, or riparian.
Off-plan fraud — developers collect deposits for projects that never break ground.

Kenya records over 3,000 land fraud cases annually. The single most effective protection is conducting an official land search before paying any money.

Warning signs include mismatched fonts or ink colors, spelling errors, missing official watermarks, and parcel numbers that don’t match registry records. Some forgeries are nearly indistinguishable from genuine documents.

The only reliable verification is an official land search through Ardhisasa or the county land registry. Never trust a physical document alone — always verify against government records before any payment.

No. Never pay any money — including “viewing fees,” “booking fees,” or “reservation deposits” — before physically visiting the property and independently verifying ownership.

Legitimate sellers and agents do not require upfront payments before viewings. If you’re pressured for money before seeing the property, walk away. This is one of the most common scam patterns in the Kenyan market.

Agents on Afriqahome go through a verification process before their listings appear on the platform. This includes identity verification, business documentation review, and listing quality checks.

Verified agents display a trust badge on their profile. However, Afriqahome is a marketplace — we connect buyers with agents but do not guarantee individual transactions. Always conduct your own due diligence on any property, regardless of the platform.

Contact us immediately by email at support@afriqahome.com with the listing URL and details of your concern. We investigate all reports and remove listings that violate our policies.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud, file a report with the nearest police station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). For land-related disputes, you can also file a complaint with the National Land Commission.

Off-plan purchases carry additional risk because you’re paying for a property that doesn’t exist yet. To protect yourself:

• Verify the developer’s track record — have they completed previous projects?
• Confirm the land title and approved building plans with the county government
• Ensure payments go into an escrow or advocate’s client account, not a personal account
• Check that the sale agreement includes clear timelines, penalties for delays, and refund terms

Off-plan can offer lower entry prices, but only if you do thorough due diligence on the developer and the project.

Yes. A conveyancing lawyer is not optional — they’re essential protection. Your lawyer conducts the official land search, drafts or reviews the sale agreement, handles stamp duty payment, and manages the title transfer process.

Expect to pay 1–2% of the purchase price for legal fees (minimum approximately KES 35,000 plus 16% VAT). This is one of the best investments you’ll make in the entire transaction.

Strongly recommended, especially for land purchases. Photos can be misleading — you need to verify the physical boundaries match the survey plan, check for encroachment by neighbors, assess access roads, and confirm the plot isn’t on a flood plain, riparian reserve, or road reserve.

If you’re buying from abroad, send a trusted representative (ideally your lawyer) to physically inspect the property and take geotagged photos and video.

Stamp duty is a government tax paid when transferring property ownership:

4% of the property value in urban areas (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and most gazetted municipalities).
2% of the property value in rural areas.

Since April 2024, many previously rural areas — including parts of Kiambu, Kitengela, Nakuru, and Machakos — were reclassified as urban and now attract the 4% rate.

The buyer pays stamp duty within 30 days of executing the transfer documents. Your lawyer handles the payment through KRA’s iTax system.

Budget 6–10% of the purchase price for transaction costs on top of the sale price:

Stamp duty: 2–4% of property value
Legal/conveyancing fees: 1–2% (min ~KES 35,000 + VAT)
Official land search: KES 500–1,000
Valuation report: KES 15,000–50,000
Registration fees: ~KES 5,000

For a KES 10 million property in Nairobi, expect approximately KES 600,000–800,000 in total transaction costs. If you’re financing with a mortgage, add bank valuation and processing fees.

Conveyancing lawyers typically charge 1–2% of the purchase price with a minimum fee of approximately KES 35,000, plus 16% VAT. For properties above KES 10 million, rates often negotiate down to 1–1.5%.

The fee covers: conducting the official land search, reviewing or drafting the sale agreement, handling stamp duty payment, executing the transfer, and registering the new title deed.

Get fee quotes from two or three lawyers before engaging. Ensure the quote covers the full process, not just the agreement stage.

Yes. Capital gains tax in Kenya is 15% on the profit (sale price minus purchase price and allowable expenses). It’s paid by the seller within 30 days of the transfer.

Allowable deductions include the original purchase price, stamp duty paid on acquisition, legal fees, and documented improvement costs. Your lawyer or tax advisor can help calculate the exact liability.

The buyer pays stamp duty. This is standard practice in Kenya and is typically a condition in the sale agreement. Your lawyer remits the payment to KRA through the iTax portal before the transfer can be registered.

Yes, some transfers are exempt:

• Transfers between spouses
• Certain transfers involving registered self-help groups
• Diplomatic property transfers
• Some government-to-government transfers

First-time homebuyer exemptions do not currently exist in Kenya. If you’re unsure whether an exemption applies, consult a conveyancing lawyer.

The process follows these stages:

1. Identify the property — search, view, and compare options
2. Conduct a land search — verify ownership via Ardhisasa (KES 500)
3. Negotiate terms and sign a sale agreement — typically with a 10% deposit
4. Obtain Land Control Board consent — required for agricultural and some freehold land
5. Pay stamp duty — 4% urban, 2% rural
6. Execute transfer documents — both parties sign at the lands office
7. Submit for registration — documents lodged at the county land registry
8. Receive new title deed — issued in the buyer’s name

Total timeline: 30–90 days depending on complexity. Agricultural land or properties with succession issues take longer.

Freehold means you own the land indefinitely with no time limit. It’s the strongest form of ownership and can be passed down through generations. Most privately owned land in Kenya’s rural and peri-urban areas is freehold.

Leasehold means you own the land for a set period — typically 99 years — granted by the government. Common in Nairobi and other urban areas. When the lease expires, you apply to the National Land Commission for renewal.

Both types can be bought, sold, and mortgaged. The key difference is duration of ownership.

The Land Control Board (LCB) is a government body that must approve certain land transactions. Consent is required for:

• Agricultural land (anywhere in Kenya)
• Some freehold land transactions outside major urban centers

Apply through the local Land Control Board with: proof of ownership, signed sale agreement, copies of both parties’ IDs, and a valuation report. Processing takes approximately two to four weeks. Cost: KES 1,000 application fee plus board member costs.

Transactions without LCB consent where required are void — the transfer will not be registered.

Simple urban transfer (apartment, titled land): 30–60 days
Agricultural land (requires LCB consent): 60–90 days
Succession-involved property: 90+ days (requires court grant of letters of administration)
Off-plan purchase: depends entirely on the developer’s construction timeline

Delays typically come from: incomplete documentation, pending consents, disputes that surface during the search, or slow processing at the lands registry.

As a buyer, you’ll need:

• National ID or passport
• KRA PIN certificate (get one free at itax.kra.go.ke)
• Recent passport-size photos
• Proof of funds or mortgage pre-approval letter
• eCitizen account (for Ardhisasa and government services)

Your lawyer handles the land search certificate, sale agreement, transfer documents, stamp duty assessment, and registration forms.

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from seller to buyer. In Kenya, it covers everything from the initial land search and agreement drafting through to the registration of the new title deed in your name.

A licensed conveyancing lawyer manages this process. It typically costs 1–2% of the property value and takes 30–90 days to complete.

Online via Ardhisasa (recommended):
1. Register at ardhisasa.lands.go.ke
2. Navigate to “Services” → “Official Search”
3. Enter the title number or parcel number
4. Pay KES 500 via M-Pesa
5. Download the search certificate

In person at the land registry:
1. Visit the county land registry where the property is registered
2. Fill in Form RL 26
3. Pay the search fee
4. Collect the results (one to three business days)

The search reveals: registered owner, property size, any mortgages or charges, caveats, and court orders.

Yes. Kenyan citizens abroad can purchase both freehold and leasehold property with full ownership rights, same as residents. There are no restrictions on Kenyan nationals buying property regardless of where they live.

You’ll need: a valid Kenyan ID or passport, a KRA PIN, and an eCitizen account. Most verification steps can be done online through Ardhisasa. For the signing and transfer, grant Power of Attorney to your lawyer.

Start with Ardhisasa (ardhisasa.lands.go.ke) — you can conduct official land searches online from anywhere in the world using your Kenyan ID and M-Pesa. The search certificate confirms ownership, size, and encumbrances.

Supplement with:
• Google Maps/Earth — verify the location matches what the seller claims
• Physical site visit — send your lawyer or a trusted representative to inspect, photograph, and take GPS coordinates
• County government check — confirm approved building plans and zoning compliance
• Neighbor verification — your representative can speak with adjacent landowners

Never rely solely on photos or documents sent by the seller.

Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes someone — usually your conveyancing lawyer — to sign documents and act on your behalf in a property transaction.

You need a POA if you cannot be physically present in Kenya for the signing of the transfer documents. It must be:
• In writing and notarized
• Stamped (stamp duty payable via KRA)
• Registered with the lands registry within two months
• For POAs executed abroad: notarized at a Kenyan embassy or consulate

Be specific — a general POA grants broad authority. A specific POA limited to one transaction is safer.

Use secure, traceable channels only:

• Bank-to-bank wire transfer — preferably to your lawyer’s client account (escrow), not directly to the seller’s personal account
• International money transfer services — Wise, Remitly, or Western Union for smaller amounts
• Diaspora mortgage — several Kenyan banks (NCBA, Standard Chartered, KCB, Stanbic) offer mortgages to Kenyans abroad

Never send money via M-Pesa to a personal number for large transactions. Insist on a lawyer’s client account as the receiving account — this provides legal protection if the transaction fails.

Several Kenyan banks have dedicated diaspora mortgage products:

• NCBA — available in US, UK, and parts of Europe
• Standard Chartered Kenya — global reach through their international network
• KCB — diaspora banking services in multiple countries
• Stanbic Bank — particularly strong in Southern and East African diaspora

Requirements typically include: proof of income abroad (pay stubs, tax returns), valid Kenyan documents, credit history, and a larger deposit than local buyers (often 20–30% vs 10–20% locally). Interest rates and terms vary significantly, so compare at least three options.

The diaspora is a primary target for property fraud because buyers can’t easily verify claims in person. Protect yourself:

1. Always conduct an official land search through Ardhisasa — never skip this
2. Hire your own lawyer — not one recommended by the seller
3. Never send money to personal accounts — use a lawyer’s client account
4. Verify through multiple channels — cross-reference the seller’s claims with independent sources
5. Visit or send a representative — photos and videos alone are not sufficient
6. Be wary of “urgent” deals — pressure to act fast is a classic scam tactic

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Nairobi property prices are well-established — a plot in Karen for KES 5 million should raise immediate red flags.

Yes, but with restrictions. Under the 2010 Constitution, non-citizens can only hold land on a leasehold basis for a maximum of 99 years. Freehold ownership is reserved for Kenyan citizens.

Foreigners can purchase urban residential, commercial, and industrial property on leasehold terms. Agricultural land is prohibited for non-citizens. Companies with foreign ownership can hold property, but specific rules apply depending on the ownership percentage.

No. The Land Control Act prohibits foreign nationals and companies with majority foreign ownership from purchasing agricultural land. This includes farmland, ranches, and rural plots designated as agricultural.

Exceptions require presidential approval via a Kenya Gazette notice — this is rarely granted. Some foreign investors structure purchases through Kenyan-majority-owned companies, but this requires careful legal structuring and compliance.

Consult a Kenyan property lawyer before pursuing any agricultural land investment as a non-citizen.

Leases can be renewed by applying to the National Land Commission before expiry. Renewal is standard practice and the 99-year limit is essentially long-term ownership in practical terms.

The renewal process involves an application, a review by the commission, and payment of a renewal fee. Begin the process well before your lease expires to ensure continuity of ownership.

Many of Nairobi’s most valuable properties — including in Karen, Kilimani, and Westlands — are leasehold, and renewals are routine.

Yes. A Kenyan-registered company can hold freehold land. If the company has foreign shareholders, the ownership structure matters:

• Majority Kenyan-owned (51%+ Kenyan shareholders): can hold freehold
• Majority foreign-owned: restricted to leasehold (99 years max)
• Agricultural land: prohibited for companies with any foreign control

Company structures add complexity and cost (company registration, annual compliance, director requirements) but can provide flexibility for foreign investors. Professional legal advice is essential.

Create an agent account on Afriqahome, complete the verification process, and use the “New Listing” dashboard to add your property. You’ll need:

• Property type, location, and price
• Clear photos (minimum 5, ideally 10+)
• Accurate description including bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities
• Title reference number for buyer confidence

Listing on the Ignite plan is free. Upgraded plans (Elevate and Dominate) offer additional tools including CRM features and branding options.

Afriqahome offers three agent plans:

Ignite (Free) — Basic listing, lead notifications
Elevate (KES 6,000/month) — CRM tools, enhanced profile
Dominate (KES 18,000/month) — CRM, branding, team management

Spotlight boost (KES 2,000 per listing): gives your property premium placement for seven days.

Afriqahome is free for property buyers — no fees, no subscriptions, no hidden costs.

Listings with complete information and quality photos receive significantly more inquiries. Best practices:

• 10+ clear, well-lit photos — include every room, exterior, and neighborhood context
• Accurate pricing — overpriced listings get filtered out; underpriced ones raise suspicion
• Complete details — bedrooms, bathrooms, plot size, parking, amenities, and nearby landmarks
• Honest description — mention both strengths and practical considerations
• Quick response — reply to inquiries within hours, not days

Buyer inquiries arrive through Afriqahome’s messaging system and as notification alerts. Respond promptly — ideally within two hours during business hours. Include:

• Confirmation that the property is available
• Suggested viewing times
• Any additional information the buyer requested
• Your direct contact for scheduling

Buyers on Afriqahome have shown genuine interest by taking the time to inquire. Fast, helpful responses significantly increase your chances of converting inquiries into viewings.

Afriqahome is a real estate marketplace for Kenya. We connect property buyers with verified agents and listings across Nairobi and Kenya’s major towns.

We’re not an agency — we don’t buy, sell, or own property. We provide the platform where buyers discover properties and agents reach serious buyers. Our focus is reducing the friction and trust gaps that make Kenya’s property market difficult to navigate.

Yes. Afriqahome is completely free for property buyers. You can browse listings, save properties, message agents, and use all buyer features without paying anything. We earn revenue from agent subscriptions and listing boosts — never from buyers.

No. Afriqahome is a marketplace, not a real estate agency. We connect buyers with agents and provide tools to make the search and communication process easier.

All transactions happen directly between buyers and agents/sellers. Afriqahome does not participate in negotiations, handle payments, or provide legal services. We recommend that all buyers engage an independent conveyancing lawyer for any property transaction.

Visit afriqahome.com and click “Sign Up.” You can register with your email address. An account lets you save properties and message agents directly through the platform.

For agents, registration includes a verification step. Create your account, then follow the onboarding process to verify your identity and start listing properties.

You can reach us through:

• Email: support@afriqahome.com
• Our social media channels (links in the footer)

For urgent issues with a listing or suspected fraud, email us directly with the listing URL and we’ll investigate promptly.