KARATINA, Kenya – Detectives have arrested a mother and her daughter over an alleged Sh40 million land fraud scheme involving family property in Karatina, Nyeri County.
The two suspects, Mary Muthoni Njogu and her daughter Veronica Wambui Ng’ang’a, were arrested on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, following investigations by detectives from the Land Fraud Investigation Unit (LFIU).
According to investigators, the case was triggered by a complaint filed by a family member on behalf of his siblings, alleging that the two women had fraudulently transferred valuable family land into their own names and those of companies associated with them.
The parcels of land in Karatina are estimated to be worth approximately Sh40 million.
Secret land transfers
Investigations established that the alleged fraudulent transactions took place between 2020 and 2023, with the suspects accused of secretly transferring the family properties without involving other members of the family.
Detectives said the transactions deliberately excluded the complainant and other family members who allegedly had an interest in the properties.
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the transfers and the subsequent registration of the parcels in the names of the two suspects and associated companies.
Land-related fraud cases in Kenya often involve allegations of forged documents, irregular transfers, fraudulent acquisition of titles and disputes over ownership of property.
ODPP directs charges
After completing their investigations, the LFIU submitted the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review.
The ODPP subsequently directed that the suspects be charged with conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent procurement of title.
Following the directive, detectives arrested the mother and daughter on August 18.
They are scheduled to appear before the Karatina Law Courts on Wednesday, August 19, where the charges are expected to be formally presented.
The allegations against the two suspects remain subject to determination by the court.
Land fraud investigations continue
The case highlights the challenges surrounding ownership and transfer of family property, particularly where transactions are conducted without the knowledge or consent of other beneficiaries.
Investigators are expected to present the evidence gathered during the probe to support the charges as the matter proceeds through the courts.
The suspects will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the court, while the prosecution will be required to prove its case to the required legal standard.
The alleged Sh40 million property dispute is now set to move from the investigative stage to the courtroom, where the circumstances surrounding the disputed land transfers will be tested.
