The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya issued an urgent warning to Kenyans to avoid making any land purchases with Lesedi Developers and a company closely related to it, Bomalink Concept Ltd.
In their Thursday, February 27, 2025, statement, the DCI said Lesedi, under Director Geoffrey Kahungi Kiragu, had deceived over 500 victims into depositing more than Sh 126 million for 40by80 plots in Thika Municipality at a cost of Sh 350,000 a piece.
The DCI termed these sales as scams after 360 complainants made their payments and Mr Kiragu began playin games with them.
“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. after visiting Lesedi Developers offices in Thika, they were taken on-site visits and allowed to choose their plots, which had been marked with beacons. In total, they paid Sh126 million to the company with individual sale agreements executed for each transaction… 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,” said the DCI in part.
Lesedi and Mr Kiragu were jointly charged with Obtaining Money by False Pretenses but he sought an out of court agreement with the complainants and 69 of them are set to receive their title deeds after the Court ordered the subdivision of the Thika land in question- Block 40/2643.
“Currently, detectives are at an advanced stage of finalizing investigation of the 500 other victims who have been swindled by the said land selling company. 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,” warned the DCI.
Lesedi Developers has been embroiled in multiple fraudulent schemes, leaving hundreds of land buyers defrauded. The company lured clients with promises of affordable plots in areas like Muthaara, Juja, Nakuru and Nanyuki, requiring deposits of around Ksh. 350,000 per plot. However, after payments were made, clients discovered missing plot beacons and never received their title deeds.
Investigations revealed that Lesedi sold non-existent plots and engaged in double allocations, leading to numerous legal battles and the arrest of Kiragu, who faces multiple counts of obtaining money by false pretenses. Despite court orders for restitution, many victims remain uncompensated, highlighting significant challenges in Kenya’s real estate sector.
