It’s crucial to conduct a thorough land search at the LANDS REGISTRY in the relevant county offices before buying land in Kenya.
This step helps you identify the rightful owner, past or present, to prevent falling victim to fraudsters or scammers who may claim ownership, only to disappear after payment or make it difficult for you to obtain a valid title deed.
This process, known as a LAND SEARCH, is a fundamental precautionary measure. Land searches can be done online or manually.
Online Land Search
1. Login to the E-CITIZEN PORTAL. Navigate to the Ministry of Land, Housing, and Urban Development tab in the menu.
2. Select the Land search option to enter the Title Deed number and complete the online land search form. Review the details and then submit your request.
3. Next, a payment prompt will appear offering various payment methods, with M-Pesa or Debit Card being the simplest choices.
4. After completing the payment, a results sheet will be generated for printing or future reference. Alternatively, you can keep the document on the portal for easy access whenever you log in, eliminating the need for immediate printing.
Manual Land Search
Before the advent of online tools, the standard procedure for conducting a land search involved physically visiting the nearest land registry office in the county where the land is situated.
Here are the steps for conducting a land search manually;
1. Ensure you have the following hard copies with you:
· Title Deed
· Seller’s KRA Pin Number document
· Seller’s National ID
2. Upon reaching the registry office, request a Land Search Form (form RL 26) and complete all the necessary details.
3. Attach copies of the land title, National ID, and KRA PIN to the form.
4. Submit the form and follow the instructions provided by the Registry officials.
The timeframe for receiving search results can vary from as little as 3 hours to as long as 3 business days, depending on several factors.
Once generated, the search results will be sent to you for review. With this information at hand, you can then decide whether to move forward with your land-buying process or not.
By following these steps diligently and seeking professional advice when needed, you can navigate the land search process in Kenya effectively while minimizing risks and ensuring legal compliance.
