Residents of Kisii South sub-county have been told to be wary of unscrupulous land brokers out to swindle both the sellers and potential buyers through shoddy land purchase.
While addressing journalist in his office at Kerina, Kisii South sub-county senior land registrar Mr Richard Biyaki urged residents to ensure they follow due processes to avoid exploitation by rogue land brokers who also masquerade as surveyors.
“We have in the past few months received complaints from various land buyers who have been conned by fake land brokers and some land sellers who have lost their money though them,” he added.
The official said the ministry often has to deal with reports and situations where unsuspecting buyers and sellers are conned by persons disguising as brokers and survey officer, who take the money and disappear.
Biyaki revealed that most affected persons were the old and widows, who do not understand the land purchase procedures and resort to shortcuts where they fall prey to the sweet talking conmen.
“There is a tendency in the sub-county where con persons posing as brokers lure residents, especially the widows and old persons to sell their land with the promise of better deals, only to end up taking advantage of them,” he added.
He added that after receiving money, the conmen leave the land owners with some little money, which is often below the actual parcel value.