DCI Arrests Man Over Ksh200 Million Karen Land Fraud
Benick Otieno Okombo. [Photo/DCI]
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a man accused of forging legal documents in a bid to seize a prime parcel of land worth Ksh200 million in Nairobi’s upscale Karen neighbourhood.
According to the DCI, the suspect, identified as Benick Otieno Okombo, allegedly manufactured a forged deed of gift and a fake transfer of land document to fraudulently claim ownership of the property. The scam was uncovered after a complainant reported that she had bought the land from its legitimate owner, who died recently. The deceased had inherited the property from her late mother.
Following the complaint, detectives from the Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) launched a probe that revealed Okombo had produced fraudulent documents purporting that the deceased owner had gifted him the land.
Investigators gathered extensive evidence, which was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). After an independent review, the ODPP concurred with the findings and approved charges of forgery and uttering false documents against the suspect.
A manhunt was initiated, and Okombo was intercepted and arrested at Bruce House in Nairobi, with detectives noting that forensic intelligence played a key role in tracing him.
He is currently in custody and is expected to be arraigned once processing is complete.
The DCI says the arrest underscores its sustained war against land fraud — a growing concern in Kenya, particularly in high-value neighbourhoods such as Karen, Runda and Lavington — and sends a warning to individuals attempting similar schemes.
“The DCI remains committed to protecting rightful landowners and ensuring that fraudsters face the full force of the law,” the agency said.
