Detectives on Monday apprehended a man accused of using forged documents to illegally claim a Sh200 million parcel of land in Nairobi’s upscale Karen estate, in what authorities describe as a well-orchestrated scheme.
The suspect, identified as Benick Otieno Okombo, was arrested at Bruce House in Nairobi’s Central Business District following a manhunt triggered by evidence linking him to falsified land transfer papers.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated that Okombo is suspected of creating fake documents suggesting the property had been gifted to him by its previous owner, who has since passed away.
The case came to light when a complainant revealed that she had legally purchased the property from the rightful owner, who had inherited it from her late mother. After the owner’s death, she discovered that another individual was attempting to claim the land using dubious documents, prompting the Land Fraud Investigations Unit to intervene.
Investigators say their inquiry quickly uncovered forged papers that falsely indicated the land had been transferred to Okombo as a gift.
“The meticulous inquiry conducted by our officers revealed clear evidence of forgery,” the DCI stated. “The file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which reviewed and approved charges of forgery and uttering false documents.”
Using forensic leads, detectives traced Okombo and arrested him at Bruce House. He is now in police custody as officers finalize his processing ahead of his court appearance.
The DCI emphasized that the arrest demonstrates its strengthened measures to combat land fraud, a problem that has long affected property owners in Kenya. The agency added that the case “serves as a warning to those who might attempt similar deceitful acts,” reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding legitimate landowners and ensuring that perpetrators face justice.
