Land buyers in Naivasha risk losing lump-sums as the number of unscrupulous brokers continues to rise.
Since the inception of the mega standard gauge railway project, the brokers have been luring unsuspecting land buyers into buying plots where they claim the project will pass through.
A spot check by this writer showed that land prices have gone up in such areas for the project whose phase 2A that runs from Nairobi to Naivasha is expected to start soon.
“Prices of land along these areas we are anticipating the railway line have gone up significantly because of the tremendous growth expected to come with it. We are experiencing increased business since everyone wants to have a share of the land along these areas in addition to the huge compensation packages in the event their land is needed for the project,” explained Duncan Muchoki, a land broker on Saturday.
However, fears of these buyers’ money going to the drain are high, as some unscrupulous individuals masquerading as genuine brokers are on the rise.
They are luring buyers into buying immensely in some areas that may not even feel the direct impact of the project as well as issuing fake documents to them.
“I would like to cushion some individuals who have fallen prey to some con men posing as brokers and end up losing money. Personally, I genuinely connect potential land buyers with the sellers or sell on their behalf especially along the areas that have been earmarked for the construction of the railway line,” he added.
The project which commenced late 2014 is expected to cost Sh1.3 trillion and will be completed in mid 2018.