Mombasa, Kenya – In a dramatic turn of events, five individuals have been arraigned in court over a brazen Sh150 million land fraud scheme in Miritini, Mombasa County. The suspects, including a private surveyor and a land administrator, allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated scam to illegally transfer a prime 12-acre property registered under Kingorani Investment Limited.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The scandal came to light after employees of the legitimate landowner were forcefully evicted by the suspects, prompting a formal complaint. Investigations revealed that the accused—Edward Marenye Kiguru, Abubakar Madey, Joseph Matheka, Mahmoud Abdalla Mahmoud, and Mohamed Saleh Hassan—had fraudulently acquired the title deed and transferred ownership to Mahmoud and Hassan.
The property, initially registered in the early 1990s, had remained under Kingorani Investment Limited until the suspects allegedly forged documents to facilitate the illegal transfer. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched a manhunt, leading to the arrest of the key players in the scheme.
Daring Arrests and Narrow Escapes
The first suspect, Edward Marenye Kiguru, a registered private surveyor in Mombasa, was arrested on April 7, 2025. His accomplices, Mahmoud Abdalla Mahmoud and Mohamed Saleh Hassan, attempted to flee to Nairobi but were tracked down to a hotel hideout and extradited back to Mombasa.
Meanwhile, Joseph Matheka, a former Kilifi County land administrator now based in Eldoret, was apprehended at his Kangundo Road residence. Sources indicate he had previously collaborated with the fraudsters during his tenure in Kilifi. The final suspect, Abubakar Madey, a registered physical planner, surrendered to authorities after an arrest warrant was issued.
Court Drama and Bail Conditions
All five suspects pleaded not guilty before the Chief Magistrate Court in Mombasa. The prosecution argued that the accused posed a flight risk, given their attempts to evade arrest. However, the court granted them bail at Sh500,000 each or an alternative cash bail of Sh100,000, with one surety of a similar amount.
The case has been scheduled for a pre-trial mention on May 5, 2025, as investigators continue to unravel the extent of the fraud.
Why This Case Matters
Land fraud remains a pervasive issue in Kenya, with high-profile cases often involving collusion between private professionals and corrupt officials. This latest scandal highlights the vulnerabilities in Kenya’s land registry system, where forged documents and insider manipulation can lead to massive financial losses for legitimate landowners.
What’s Next?
Legal experts predict a lengthy court battle, given the complexity of the case. If convicted, the suspects could face up to 10 years in prison under Kenya’s Land Registration Act. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has vowed to pursue similar cases to curb land-related crimes.
Public Reaction
The case has sparked outrage among Mombasa residents, with many calling for stricter oversight of land transactions. “This is not an isolated incident—land fraud is rampant, and innocent people lose property every day,” said a local activist.
How to Protect Your Land
Authorities advise landowners to:
- Regularly verify their title deeds at the Ministry of Lands.
- Report suspicious transactions immediately.
- Avoid dealing with unverified agents or brokers.
