How Mt Kenya residents are losing millions to fraudulent Del Monte land sale
A cartel fraudulently selling food processing company Del Monte’s land has emerged in Murang’a County.
The fraudsters are using the land to make a killing and includes some government officers, business people and brokers.
According to County Commissioner Karuku Ngumo, the cartel is operating through a company identified as Kabuku Sasa.
Among those who have fallen prey to the fraud are residents of Laikipia, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kiambu and Kirinyaga counties, where recruitments for shareholders have been going on.
“The company is not legally registered and has swindled many unsuspecting buyers. The promise is that it is in a position to sell land, which it does not own,” said Mr Ngumo.
The county commissioner revealed that the fraudsters have been saying Del Monte will cede 1,400 acres to the residents of Murang’a, which will be subdivided among listed shareholders.
According to some transactions which are now subject to police investigations, one is requires to pay Sh5,000 and is registered as a shareholder.
A share certificate goes for Sh50,000 and upon payment of Sh1million, one is put on a waiting list for title deeds of 50 by 100 feet plots of land.
The fraud is being fuelled by the fact that it is not clear the total acreage Del Monte sits on.
When she appeared before the parliamentary committee on Land last year, then-Cabinet Secretary Faridah Karoney said the government intended to renew a lease for 32,240 acres at the Del Monte plantation, Del Monte itself said it sits on 22,500 acres, while the committee said the lease agreement reads 20,000 acres.
Del Monte further reported that it utilises 14,000 acres which it has put under pineapple plantation.
It is currently diversifying into macadamia and avocado farming.
It is in light of these disparities that the National Land Commission (NLC) and Parliament ordered the Directorate of Survey to measure the land and provide the official figure of the holding.
The report is yet to be filed.
Mr Ngumo said the fraudsters had established a makeshift office which has since been demolished on the orders of the County Security Committee.
Career administrator Joseph Kaguthi said: “I have several friends in my native Nyandarua County who have complained of falling prey to the scheme.”