Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters have arrested a suspected land fraudster accused of swindling an unsuspecting buyer out of Ksh900,000 in a fraudulent land sale scheme involving a parcel of land in Molo.

The suspect, identified as Andrew Gachagua Njui, was apprehended by officers attached to the DCI's Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) following an extensive manhunt that culminated in his arrest in the Giathege area of Othaya, Nyeri County, where he had reportedly gone into hiding.

According to investigators, the case began after a complainant reported being duped into purchasing what was presented as a genuine parcel of land in Molo. Believing the transaction to be legitimate, the buyer paid Ksh900,000 to secure ownership of the property.

However, suspicions emerged after the purchaser conducted an official land search to complete the transfer process. The search revealed a shocking discrepancy: the land was registered under the name of a completely different owner, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the transaction.

The discovery prompted a thorough investigation by the Land Fraud Investigations Unit, whose preliminary findings indicated that the buyer had allegedly been deceived through false representations concerning the ownership and sale of the property. Detectives established that the land had been marketed and sold under misleading circumstances, resulting in significant financial loss to the complainant.

Following the investigations, the suspect was arraigned before the court, and the case was scheduled for hearing at the Principal Magistrate's Court in Molo on May 26, 2026. However, the accused failed to appear in court as required, prompting the magistrate to issue a warrant for his arrest.

The warrant triggered a renewed search operation by detectives, who intensified efforts to trace the suspect's whereabouts. Acting on intelligence leads, officers eventually tracked him to a hideout in Nyeri County.

“Armed with reliable intelligence, detectives trailed the elusive suspect to his hideout in the Giathege area of Othaya, Nyeri County, where he was apprehended and taken into custody,” the DCI said in a statement.

The suspect is currently undergoing processing ahead of his next court appearance as criminal proceedings continue.

His arrest comes amid heightened efforts by the Land Fraud Investigations Unit to dismantle criminal networks involved in forged title deeds, fraudulent land sales, illegal transfers, and other property-related scams that continue to affect thousands of Kenyans.

The DCI has urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing land by conducting official searches, verifying ownership records, and confirming the authenticity of all transaction documents before making payments. Investigators warn that land fraud remains one of the most prevalent and costly property crimes in the country.