Sigh of relief as land buyers receive title deeds after years of wait

Investors who purchased land from Lesedi Developers Limited, a Thika-based land firm, can now have a sigh of relief after the firm began issuing them with title deeds after years of wait.

The investors have been engaging the firm in court battles over failure to issue them with the crucial land ownership documents and alleged multiple allocations of land parcels among other disputes.

Already, a section of the investors have lodged a suit at the Thika law courts demanding compensation claiming that they are yet to be shown their land parcels despite parting with their hard-earned money.

Thika Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo while presiding over the matter urged the parties to consider settling the matter amicably by way of compensation to the aggrieved parties.

She told the firm founder and Director Geoffrey Kiragu to consider refunding the land buyers their money.

“If there was an exchange of money and the clients [the claimants] didn’t get what they were buying, the only proper way to resolve this is to refund their money. There must be real efforts and genuine goodwill to compensate the persons,” Atambo said.

As part of the resolution process, Lesedi has begun issuing title deeds to land buyers in different projects including Msingini in Matuu, Kilimambogo, Juja, Chakama and Ngoliba in Thika East.

Wilson Mwangi, a representative of the company while disbursing 150 title deeds to investors on Saturday, revealed that the prolonged court cases and closure of the firm’s offices in Thika town have been the reason for the delayed issuance of the land ownership documents.

Mwangi however announced that the offices have been opened to expedite the quelling of the outstanding disputes, resolving standoffs and fast-tracking the issuance of title deeds to the land buyers.

He reiterated that the firm is committed to heeding the court’s direction on resolving all matters with the aggrieved persons adding that they are ready to give out title deeds and also give alternative land parcels to investors who bought lands which are at the center of protracted disputes.

“We have begun issuing all title deeds and ironing out any disputes that are there. By the end of this month some 200 more investors will receive their title deeds,” Mwangi said.

Some of the investors who couldn’t hide their joy said that the long wait is over and they will now be able to develop their land parcels.

They pointed out that they were losing hope in accessing the parcels they bought as well as their hard earned savings.

Emily Kagendo who had bought pieces of land in the firm’s Ngoliba and Malindi projects said that she will now be able to generate good earnings after reselling the parcels, whose prices have appreciated.

“I wanted to do business with the land I bought. I have waited for close to three years for the title deeds which I’ve now received. I’m hoping to get good returns once I sell them,” she said.

She however pleaded with Lesedi management to hasten the process of issuing title deeds to all Kenyans who invested their hard-earned money in the firm saying that this will not only bring an end to the agony they are going through but will also help rebuild the firm’s image.

Kiragu in a letter presented to the court by his counsel Julius Ngaresi on February 20 indicated that plans to reopen Lesedi Developers Limited offices are underway to expedite the settlement process as well as the handover of various projects.

“We believe that having a physical presence will facilitate better communication and transparency between us, enabling smoother transactions and providing you with a convenient point of contact for all your needs,” he noted in the letter dated February 20, 2024.

Kiragu further indicated that his firm is committed to finding a resolution for all parties and reaching a settlement with all investors.