A major controversy is unfolding in Nakuru after a land fraud case placed businessman and politician Nicholas Karunjigi Munyua at the center of serious allegations. Munyua, who once vied for the governor’s seat, is accused of scamming Kenyans out of Sh70 million through false land deals.
The case has drawn public attention due to the high amounts involved and the growing worry over land fraud in the country.
Testimony from the first witness revealed worrying details about how innocent buyers were allegedly tricked into believing they were investing in genuine land opportunities.
According to the witness, the accused often spoke confidently and presented himself as a credible businessman who could connect people with prime properties.
This claim has opened conversations about the weaknesses within Kenya’s land transaction systems, which many believe have allowed fraudsters to thrive.
The hearings began before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego, who listened as the first victim, Edward Mungatana, narrated how he lost money to the alleged scam.
Mungatana told the court that Munyua convinced him that he had bought valuable land and was in a position to sell sections of it.
Trusting this information, he and other victims paid large sums, only to later discover that the land claims were false.
Munyua has denied all charges since November 2024 and is currently out on a Sh5 million bond or a cash bail option of Sh1.5 million as the case continues.
Mungatana further explained that between October 30, 2022, and March 5, 2023, he and Martha Francesca Mugure Ndumari were allegedly conned out of Sh70 million for a land parcel.
He described the accused as someone who created a detailed and convincing plan, making victims believe they were dealing with a genuine land seller.
Once payments were completed, the accused allegedly disappeared or gave excuses that later turned out to be untrue.
Another set of victims, Nairobi residents John Kamau Ngugi and Florence Nyanjihia Kabata, also claim to have lost Sh29,800,000 to the same scheme.
They were allegedly promised land in the Runda area, even though the accused had no legitimate rights to the property. These recurring claims suggest a pattern of deception and point to issues in land verification processes across the country.
The Milimani court will continue mentioning the case on December 1, 2, and 3, 2025.
More witnesses are expected, and their statements will help the court determine whether the accused acted alone or was part of a broader network.
The case has drawn attention to the need for stronger laws and public awareness, as many people continue to fall victim to fraudulent land sellers.
Investigators from the DCI have also been monitoring similar cases across the country. They report that many land fraud claims involve loopholes in registration and verification systems, making it easy for dishonest individuals to take advantage of buyers.
Real estate experts warn that as Kenya’s property market grows, fraudsters are becoming more creative in exploiting unsuspecting investors.
Many Kenyans have expressed their concerns, saying they have heard too many stories of people losing life savings to fake land deals.
For some, the legal process is slow and draining, making it even harder to recover their money.
Civil society groups have urged authorities to tighten regulations and ensure justice is served for those who fall victim to such fraud.
The focus remains on how the evidence will shape the future of the case against Munyua.
Add Comment