Kinyua Wairatu, Chairman of the Real Estate Stakeholders Association (RESA), has called on Kenyans to be extra cautious when purchasing land, following a High Court ruling in Thika involving Lesedi Developers.
The court ordered the developer to either provide alternative land or compensate buyers who were defrauded.
Reacting to the ruling, Wairatu advised Kenyans to only buy land from companies affiliated with RESA, as the association has mechanisms in place to ensure that customers are protected in case of any disputes.
“It’s heartbreaking to see Kenyans lose their money to companies with dubious deals. We urge them to focus on RESA-affiliated companies, where they can find security. Our members are committed to ensuring that, in any eventuality, customers will either get their money back or receive the land they were promised,” Wairatu said.
He acknowledged the ongoing challenges in Kenya’s real estate sector but reassured the public that efforts are being made behind the scenes to clean up the industry.
“Since the establishment of RESA, we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure our members follow strict integrity guidelines. We’ve received numerous complaints, especially from Kenyans in the diaspora, but I can assure you that we are working hard to restore trust in this sector,” he added.
Wairatu encouraged Kenyans not to lose hope, assuring them that reforms are underway.
The case against Lesedi Developers, founded by Geoffrey Kiragu, has brought attention to the issue of real estate fraud.
Buyers claimed they had paid millions for land that was never delivered, with the company repeatedly delaying and denying its obligations, leaving investors frustrated.
The court’s ruling highlighted the need for stricter oversight and protection for land buyers in Kenya.
