Beware of crooks who claim to sell Delmonte land, public cautioned

Murang’a County Commissioner Karuku Ngumo has cautioned members of the public against being duped into buying Delmonte land by unscrupulous dealers.

Ngumo said already he has received numerous complains from people who have been swindled of their money by conmen.

The commissioner said a land buying company identified as Kabuku Sasa has been collecting money from members of the public, claiming they will get them parcels of land.

The administrator said the company which had opened an office in the area was asking for Sh5,000 as registration fee, a Sh50,000 to award the allotment certificate and Sh1 million to secure eighth of an acre.

“I understand this company has been here for sometime but we cannot ascertain for how long and a huge number of people have fallen into their trap,” Ngumo said.

“They even had an office here so as to convince people that they are doing legit business,” added the commissioner.

Ngumo said Delmonte, under the supervision of security officers, had demolished the office as the hunt for the culprits intensifies.

He urged people who had been swindled of their money to report to Ngati Police Station and record their statements.

About a month ago, a politician affiliated to Kandara Residents Association had called a meeting apparently to deliberate on the subdivision of a parcel of land which was ceded by the company.

Quarries closed

The association has been awarded 70 per cent of the land while the county governments of Murang’a and Kiambu will take 30 per cent.

The association’s officials, however, distanced themselves from the purported subdivision saying it was illegal as there is an active case in court over the matter.

At the same time, the commissioner and officers from the National Environmental and Management Authority (Nema) have closed down four quarries in Kihiu Mwiri for non-compliance.

The miners are said to be invading private land and destroying the road infrastructure.

“The miners have encroached the railway line with goes to Nanyuki and this is dangerous as it can cause the train to derail.