Buy land in Kenya without the risk

Why land deals in Kenya need escrow

Land fraud is one of the most common and most expensive scams in Kenya — fake or duplicated title deeds, sellers who don't own the plot, "brothers" selling family land without consent, and agents who collect deposits for land that doesn't exist. Once money changes hands, recovery is slow and rarely successful. Escrow reverses the risk: the money is committed but not released until your due diligence confirms the deal is real.

How to buy land safely with escrow

• Agree the terms in writing — plot number, location, size, price, and exactly what documents the seller must produce (title deed, search certificate, KRA PIN, ID).
• Create an escrow transaction — describe the plot and set a deadline long enough for due diligence — days, not hours.
• Deposit the funds by M-Pesa — the seller gets instant SMS & WhatsApp proof that the money is committed and waiting.
• Run your checks — official search at the lands registry or Ardhisasa/eCitizen, site visit, beacons confirmation, advocate's review.
• Release only when verified — the moment you confirm, funds are paid to the seller's M-Pesa. If the deal fails verification, you dispute and get your money back.

What to use it for

• Plot deposits while the official title search runs
• Reservation fees for land buying companies and diaspora purchases
• Staged payments on larger land deals — deposit via escrow, balance through your advocate
• Succession and family land sales where multiple parties must be verified

Buying land from abroad?

Diaspora buyers are the top target for Kenyan land fraud. With escrow you never send money to a stranger — a relative or advocate in Kenya can view the tracking page, and funds only move after you personally confirm the title is clean.

Know the limit

Sellers can receive up to KSh 240,000 per transaction — perfect for deposits, reservation fees and due-diligence-stage payments. For larger land purchases, use escrow for the deposit while your advocate structures the balance, or talk to us about splitting payments.