A real estate firm, Simple Homes Kenya, has shut down its Facebook page and corporate website amid allegations of conning millions of shillings from unsuspecting home buyers.
Two models, Bridget Shighadi and Jennifer Ciku, who were used to promote the company, have come forward to clear their names. They claim they were also victims of the firm's alleged scheme.
According to Shighadi, the firm breached their agreement, and she stated, "No, I am no longer part of Simple Homes. We had a deal and they did not honor it. In fact, I am also a victim of their scheme."
Ciku, who appeared in one of the company's YouTube videos, expressed frustration over being associated with the company in a negative light, saying, "I have been receiving inquiries about Simple Homes because my face appears in the adverts. It is actually frustrating that people are now associating us with the company in a very bad light."
An investigation by Tuko found that the company was allegedly registered by a former magistrate, a Meru businessman, and a Nairobi MP. The firm's business model involved requiring buyers to place a 25% deposit of the house value, approximately KSh 250,000, and then pay the balance in equal installments for five to 40 years interest-free.
